BEAVERTON, Ore. — A pandemic is probably not the best time to start a new business venture, but that’s not stopping three popular beer spots from expanding and opening later this summer in Beaverton. The three business owners say now is the perfect time to come to the Portland suburb.
Binary Brewery, Breakside Brewery and Loyal Legion are taking a chance after a roller coaster 2020. Kurt Huffman with Loyal Legion opened up his very popular beer hall several years ago in Southeast Portland. He said by the time they open later this summer, more people will be vaccinated and ready for life to get back to normal.
“We’re rolling the dice here, but we really believe that the economy is about to pick back up," Huffman said. "We got to make sure everyone feels comfortable coming back out again."
All three are also seeing business picking up once again. Roger Wood with Binary Brewing said he’s already brewed half of what he did last year, in the first quarter of 2021. Wood is going to be calling the old Beaverton Bakery building home in just a few months.
Not far from him will be Breakside Brewery, which has hopes of opening sometime this summer in downtown Beaverton.
“I know it seems crazy during the middle of this pandemic, but we like the way things are trending, we’re really positive,” said Dan Brownhill with Breakside Brewery.
They all agree it’s been easier to get projects off the ground in Beaverton, and it’s also a little more enticing to start somewhere new.
Both Brownhill and Huffman agree that it’s been a challenge to have space in downtown Portland over the last year. They see a lot of opportunity in Beaverton because of the growth and new development.