A highly visible property located at the corner of South B and Main Streets in Hamilton will once again be active as a restaurant and brewery.
Fretboard Brewing & Public House, which plans to open at 103 Main Street in 2019, is a collaboration between the successful Cincinnati-based restaurant group Looking Glass Hospitality Group (LGHG) and the rapidly growing and popular Fretboard Brewing Co. LGHG owns and operates award-winning restaurants TAHONA Kitchen+Bar in Blue Ash and SW Clyborne Co. Provision & Spirits in Mason. Fretboard was named Best New Brewery 2018 – Ohio Region by the consumer-driven and industry-respected craft beer site RateBeer.com.
Property owner Consortium for Ongoing Reinvestment Efforts (CORE) has been actively working with LGHG and Fretboard on opening this location since February 2019. Following the closing of Quarter Barrel Brewery & Pub in January, CORE solicited new tenant prospects through a request for proposal (RFP) process.
Mike Dingeldein, Director of CORE, stressed how exciting it has been working with two well established businesses with a track record of excellence in their respective fields.
“Through the RFP process, more than 25 groups expressed interest in the property. After meeting with LGHG and Fretboard, the CORE Board felt confident in the experience both groups would bring to their project in Hamilton,” explained Dingeldein. “This has been one of the most significant redevelopment sites CORE has ever taken on, and the location relative to the Spooky Nook development should provide a great match for their business goals.”
LGHG will direct restaurant operations and intends to offer quality, made-from-scratch food in a manner that compliments a brew pub atmosphere. Fretboard will use the brewing facility to create a line of unique beers, several of which will only be available at the Hamilton location.
“Fretboard is excited to be a part of Hamilton’s revitalization efforts and to help make Hamilton, Ohio a destination for craft beer and music,” said Fretboard Brewing Co. partner Kevin Moreland.
In addition to cosmetic changes, some redesign of the existing space is planned to increase seating capacity of the building. On the ground floor, a new bar will be constructed and brewing equipment will be reconfigured so that the windows in the front of the building can become a gathering place and serve as a focal point of energy on Main Street. The second floor, which is currently used entirely for kitchen space, will be divided to have both the kitchen and additional seating for guests.
The rooftop patio will be upgraded with new seating and furnishings, in addition to a small tap system for beer service, and will be utilized as a full-service extension of the interior space as weather permits.
“The City of Hamilton has been generating a lot of talk and excitement in the region. Walking down Main Street and High Street and the adjacent areas, you can feel the upswell of old meeting new and what Hamilton is poised to become,” said Scott Schmidt, Founder and Owner of LGHG. “With Fretboard Brewing & Public House, LGHG is thrilled to be bringing a unique restaurant experience to Main Street. With its location on the river and proximity to downtown and the Spooky Nook development, it was an easy choice to be part of the growth in Hamilton.”
Menu should include:
Steak Frites: Sliced New York strip steak with mushrooms, bordelaise sauce, green onion and french fries
Fish & Chips: Fretboard beer-battered Haddock with house-made tartar sauce and coleslaw
Pasta Scampi: Campanelle pasta tossed in house white wine garlic sauce with charred tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil and parmesan
Southern Fried Chicken Thighs: Lightly breaded and flash-fried boneless skinless chicken thighs served with mac and cheese and house pickles
Jalapeño poppers with house-made pimento cheese stuffing and buttermilk herb dressing
Fretboard Vlad Beer Cheese served with fresh pretzel bites, carrots, celery and cucumber.