Friends who launched Pedal Wagon are opening new venture in Over-the-Rhine
Childhood friends Jack Heekin and Tom OBrian launched the Pedal Wagon, a 15-seat pedal-powered bike that more than 10,000 riders have boarded Downtown for pub crawls, birthday parties and other events.
Now, the two are seeking their next entrepreneurial adventure in the growing popularity of craft beers. Heekin and OBrian went on a month-long cross-country road trip last year, traveling 6,429 miles and stopping at bars, restaurants and coffee shops to develop a concept they think will translate well in Cincinnati, the city we love, Heekin said.
The result will be HalfCut, a craft beer cafe opening toward the end of January in the 130-year-old Gobrecht building at 12th and Walnut in Over-the-Rhine. The building most recently housed a Lucy Blue pizza restaurant after earlier lives as a deli and a saloon.
Named after a slang term from the 1920s that refers to the perfect state of mind after a couple of beers, HalfCut will operate much like a coffee shop, with a linear ordering and checkout process. Customers will be greeted by a beerista, who can suggest samples and make recommendations.
A distinguishing feature will be use of growlers, the 32- and 64-ounce glass jugs that are becoming increasingly popular as a way for beer drinkers to transport draft brews home from bars and beer shops.
Customers also will be able to create their own six-packs before proceeding to checkout. Those who wish to stay a while can get a pint or sampler to drink in the café-style space. A to-go beer window will serve customers passing by on the street.
HalfCut capitalizes on the rapid growth of the craft beer movement, which has seen multiple new breweries pop up in Greater Cincinnati during the past few years.
The craft beer industry is exploding across the country, and nowhere is that more apparent than in Cincinnati, Heekin said. We are now home to 11 breweries, with plans in motion for a handful more. The great new breweries and drinking establishments are helping the city rediscover its remarkable beer history, and setting up an exciting future.
Childhood friends Jack Heekin and Tom OBrian launched the Pedal Wagon, a 15-seat pedal-powered bike that more than 10,000 riders have boarded Downtown for pub crawls, birthday parties and other events.
Now, the two are seeking their next entrepreneurial adventure in the growing popularity of craft beers. Heekin and OBrian went on a month-long cross-country road trip last year, traveling 6,429 miles and stopping at bars, restaurants and coffee shops to develop a concept they think will translate well in Cincinnati, the city we love, Heekin said.
The result will be HalfCut, a craft beer cafe opening toward the end of January in the 130-year-old Gobrecht building at 12th and Walnut in Over-the-Rhine. The building most recently housed a Lucy Blue pizza restaurant after earlier lives as a deli and a saloon.
Named after a slang term from the 1920s that refers to the perfect state of mind after a couple of beers, HalfCut will operate much like a coffee shop, with a linear ordering and checkout process. Customers will be greeted by a beerista, who can suggest samples and make recommendations.
A distinguishing feature will be use of growlers, the 32- and 64-ounce glass jugs that are becoming increasingly popular as a way for beer drinkers to transport draft brews home from bars and beer shops.
Customers also will be able to create their own six-packs before proceeding to checkout. Those who wish to stay a while can get a pint or sampler to drink in the café-style space. A to-go beer window will serve customers passing by on the street.
HalfCut capitalizes on the rapid growth of the craft beer movement, which has seen multiple new breweries pop up in Greater Cincinnati during the past few years.
The craft beer industry is exploding across the country, and nowhere is that more apparent than in Cincinnati, Heekin said. We are now home to 11 breweries, with plans in motion for a handful more. The great new breweries and drinking establishments are helping the city rediscover its remarkable beer history, and setting up an exciting future.
Heekin and OBrian plan to start with 16 taps but will have the option to expand to 32, Heekin said, noting that they want to keep the kegs rotating so the beer stays fresh. Theyll also use a direct draw draft beer system, in which taps are connected directly to kegs in the walk-in cooler, eliminating the lines in between, Heekin said.
The space is about 860 square feet and will have four long, beer hall-style tables; a community table for larger groups; and two small tables for two.
I think people will feel comfortable when they come in, whether theyre someone who doesnt drink beer and is dragged there by their friends; someone whos used to drinking the large, brand name beers; someone whos just getting into craft beer; or someone who loves beer and lives and dies by it, Heekin said.
For their venture, the partners are selling T-shirts, growlers and other items on IndieGoGo to help offset their expenses.
And about the goat thats become the symbol of their new business?
The goat symbolizes us going over the mountain and finding these different beers and bringing them back, Heekin said.
The overall goal is to help these craft brewers, he added. The whole industry is awesome. Theyre passionate about what theyre doing, and theyre making a better product at the end of the day, and we want to be a part of that.
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