YOUNGSTOWN - A building in downtown Youngstown that has served as a stable, saloon, and lumber yard over the past 136 years will get new life as a brewery and restaurant.

Penguin City Brewing Company has purchased the 32,704 square foot Republic Warehouse at 460 E. Federal St. in Downtown Youngstown to us it to make beer, as well as open a taproom, event center, and rental space.

When the brewery opens, Penguin City plans to hire 19 employees for manufacturing, distribution, sales and promotion, and taproom staff. They plan to have more than 40 employees in three years.

The building, which has 5,120 sq ft of office space and 27,584 sq feet of warehouse space was purchased by Penguin City Brewing Company for $575,000.

"There is plenty of room for us to grow," says Lyras-Bernacki. "The concern we had when looking for a place was getting something too small and having to keep adding on. The Republic warehouse gives us the room to add more tanks as we continue to grow and distribute more."

The property was first developed in 1884 as a stable, saloon, wagon shop, and lumber yard. Throughout the years it has been a hotel, restaurant, billiards parlor, blacksmith shop, candy shop, steel and iron fabricators, and steel warehouse. "We definitely want to showcase the rich history of the property when we design the taproom and will be getting in touch with Mahoning Valley Historical Society to help us with that," says Lyras-Bernacki.

Penguin City is considering a 20-barrel brewhouse plus fermentation and conditioning tanks. The business currently brews approximately 120 barrels per month between the B&O location and Paladin.

“With the new system, we'll be able to output much more product, oversee every process from start to finish and do it with a considerable increase in efficiency. This will help us pursue distributors in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. In addition, we'll have a smaller pilot system which will allow for dialing in new recipes and experimental brews for the taproom." Richard Bernacki, Co-Owner, Penguin City Brewing Co.

"Having all our production at one location, along with a taproom/restaurant, will allow us to expand our brand offerings as well as streamline our distribution process", says Michael Pontikos, Brand Manager of Penguin City Brewing, "we knew this was where we wanted to be, right in the heart of the Mahoning Valley".

The $3.7 million renovation will be done in phases. Phase 1 is the brewery and taproom. Phase 2 will be a restaurant and event center with an opening of Phase 1 slated for summer 2021.  The project will be funded through private loans and grant money.