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Brewpub on the horizon in downtown Medford By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 18, 2015 @ 4:50 pm Updated Aug 18, 2015 at 5:56 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 18, 2015 @ 4:50 pm Updated Aug 18, 2015 at 5:56 PM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> The chill of winter will fill the air before Common Block Brewing Co. swings open its doors in downtown Medford, but for one evening last weekend locals got a taste of what's to come in December. Armed with mechanical, structural, electrical and plumbing permits, the brewpub owners are transforming the Monarch Building between Apple and northbound Bartlett streets into a downtown gathering place, and on Friday evening a couple hundred people dropped by to look at blueprints and sample local beer and cider. "They've already done such an amazing job of revitalizing the (Commons) area," said Danielle Amarotico, who will operate the brewpub along with her husband, Alex. "All that's needed is some critical mass, and we're really excited about being part of that transition. It was good to meet some of our new neighbors, and it supplied good motivation over the next couple of months." Bryan DeBoer, CEO of neighboring Lithia Motors, said the Amaroticos' commitment to the downtown area was the kind of thing his family envisioned when it decided to build its headquarters next door. "We're glad to have Alex and Danielle investing in our downtown community, joining the different organizations that have come into the downtown area to help revitalize and create a great environment for the citizens of Southern Oregon," DeBoer said. Alex Amarotico is performing general contractor duties for the 6,518-square-foot, 5-barrel brewery and 200-seat restaurant designed by Ashland architect Carlos Delgado. City building permits indicate construction will account for $366,000 of the anticipated million-dollar-plus project. In the weeks ahead, Alex Amarotico will oversee the erection of an overhead steel structure supporting an upstairs brewery platform and concrete dining mezzanine. Although the original plan called for a fall opening, few things emerge as drawn up on the board. "You never know exactly where you're going to land with design, planning, construction and permits involved," Danielle Amarotico said. As a result, she said, the brewpub will start with a staff of 50 before pushing toward 60 to 75 by next summer, when seating for another 100 will become available. The rapid growth of the artisan brewing industry here and elsewhere has created obstacles of its own. There are no fewer than 10 microbreweries in the Rogue Valley alone. The demand for brewing equipment has outstripped manufacturers' capacity, resulting in backlogs and delays. "Most likely we won't have our brewing equipment in place in December," she said. "You can get equipment from China, but our equipment will most likely be made in Oregon." After 18 years managing Standing Stone Brewing Co. in Ashland, where they remain part-owners, the Amaroticos were ready for a new challenge. "My wife and I were looking to do something on our own," Alex Amarotico said. "At Standing Stone we had 10 different shareholders that had their own idea of what business should be like, so we're here doing our own thing. We see lots of new businesses coming to town, lots of new office space with lots of new people. We wanted to offer a place for the community to be together." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 , and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/EconomicEdge . By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 18, 2015 @ 4:50 pm Updated Aug 18, 2015 at 5:56 PM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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