Keep your eyes peeled DePauw! A new sit-down restaurant and bar, Tap House 24, plans to open for business at the beginning of June 2016. Located at 24-26 S. Indiana Street, this innovative joint prides itself on producing homestyle quality meals and unique handcrafted beers on tap: 24, to be exact.
Ashley Dora, the owner of Dora Hotel Company, has been working with the city of Greencastle and DePauw for several months now in hopes to build a restaurant that will bring about a sense of community.
“It's been going on for months now and has been a process,” said Danita Timmons, general manager of Tap House 24. “What we really want to bring to town, along with the revitalization going on with the resolution 2016, is to really turn Greencastle into a destination location and somewhere that not only DePauw can be proud of but Putnam County, Greencastle and everyone to be proud of.”
Timmons and the rest of the staff want Tap House 24 to be a unique space for anyone who walks through the doors.
“Its really going to be a comfortable space, a casual space, bringing some height, quality and creative foods and beverage to Greencastle,” she said.
Tap House 24 recently hired a chef, Josh Cunningham, who will begin in April. When asked about the food, Timmons said, “It's going to be unique to us but comfort food and approachable food. ...Nothing fancy, but with our own unique spin and his vision. The goal of Tap House 24 is to create a space and menu that you're not going to find anywhere else in town or the area.”
Thirty-five employees are projected to work at Tap House 24. Timmons said DePauw students are more than welcome to pick-up a job application as well. Timmons said Tap House 24 is excited “to be part of that development and economic growth"
"It's been really refreshing and nice just to know everyone is onboard and have the same vision," she said. From the town, county, and tourism board, “everybody wants to see Greencastle make a comeback.”
The menu is still being developed, with the Cunningham having a lot of creative control due to his extensive experience and creative ideas.
“We want the food and beer to be a nice compliment and not be a competition to what the local establishments are bringing to the table,” Timmons said. The hours of operation are not known yet; however, it is predicted that this establishment will stay open later on the weekends for music, trivia nights and private events.
“It's a unique building, trying to bring it back to its original form,” Timmons said. "It's got a very rustic industrial feel. We’re exposing the brick work, redoing the hardwood floors that are in there, bringing a lot of metal into the space. ...Our focal point will be our huge bar with a custom tap line we just had created.”
Get your wallets and bellys ready, DePauw: Tap House 24 is going to be a “unique creative environment that's memorable and comfortable” all at the same time!