Checkerspot Brewing Buys New Building, Will Move a Few Blocks West
After four years at 1399 S. Sharp St. in Stadium Area, Checkerspot Brewing Company will move a few blocks west to 1421 Ridgely St. in Carroll-Camden Industrial Area. Checkerspot Brewing Company owners and married couple Judy and Rob Neff purchased the 24,000 sq. ft. building yesterday and will soon begin a renovation to convert the new space into a brewery.
Checkerspot is currently in a 12,000 sq. ft. space and the new brewery will use 18,000 sq. ft. Vicinity will continue to lease 6,000 sq. ft. in the building. Judy Neff told SouthBMore.com that everything will be bigger at the new location including the production brewery, tap room, and event spaces.
Judy Neff said they have been looking for a new space for about a year as their lease is up on June 30, 2023. “The goal was always to own a property,” she said.
Judy Neff said the new building is in good shape and no structural or electrical changes are needed. It was previously used by industrial printer The J.W. Boarman Company.
“The space is exactly what we need,” said Judy Neff, noting they were really hoping to stay in the area and were excited to find a property so close to their current location.
Rob Neff has a background in construction and will be the general contractor for the renovation. They plan on opening the new tap room at 1421 Ridgely St. before their lease is up on 1399 S. Sharp St.
Judy Neff said they will move the brewing equipment first, but will keep the taproom open at the current location until the tap room is ready to open at the new location.
The new building has its own parking and will have outdoor seating. Judy Neff said they plan on sprucing up the outside, which is currently tan cinderblock.
The new brewery will have a kitchen and chef Alan Friar will continue to serve up a menu featuring flatbreads, paninis, reubens, quesadillas, soups, and more.
The beer selection will continue to have a focus on “lighter” beers, “malt-forward” beers, “hop-lover” beers, and non-alcoholic selections.
1421 Ridgely St. and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore are separated by a ramp for Russell St. The land underneath is owned by Baltimore City and is currently a homeless encampment that caught fire in February. Judy Neff said they are interested in getting a lease for the property and cleaning it up so it’s a safer pedestrian pass-through and could potentially be used for parking.
Checkerspot will be the fourth brewery between Pigtown and Carroll-Camden Industrial Area. Suspended Brewing Company and Pickett Brewing Company are already open, and Wico Street Beer Co. will open soon. Judy Neff said it’s exciting to be part of this growing hub of breweries and hopes more will join them in the area.
Photos courtesy of Checkerspot Brewing Company
About the Author: Kevin Lynch
Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, father of three, amateur pizza chef, skateboarder, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.
