If you are like most of Hellertown, you have been excited for the upcoming opening of Lost Tavern Brewing since the first whispers appeared on Rumor Alley. Lost Tavern Brewing has moved from rumor to reality, and is now located at Hampton Avenue and Main Street (782 Main St.).
The renovated exterior of the RMI building includes an outdoor seating area, awnings and signage for Lost Tavern Brewing.
The long wait is almost over, and they will have a grand opening for the public on Friday, July 1 at 3 p.m. The public opening will be a family-friendly event, including live music.
I’m sure you’ve seen the old RMI building tastefully emerging as Hellertown’s newest attraction. But, perhaps you don’t know that this beer business is not like anything Hellertown has seen since the days when the trolley rolled through and the Hellertown Bottling Works stocked its shelves. Taking a walk around the perimeter and sneaking some peeks into the brewery area, you get a sense of history and the impression that the history of Saucon Valley and the Lehigh Valley are being represented in an honorable and rustic-industrial yet aesthetically-pleasing manner. The building was erected in 1927, at one point housed Hellertown’s bowling alley and is associated with other borough folklore. Now, with its renovation, exposed hand-laid bricks set the background for steam-punk pipes glowing in full sepia tone.
Raising a glass of craft beer brewed in Hellertown will soon be a reality for many.
At a time when Hellertown is reinventing itself through community and business-owner generated marketing efforts such as www.gotohellertown.com, it makes sense that Lost Tavern Brewing should pour their dreams one fresh pint at a time for downtown visitors. Many of us are looking forward to this unique venue’s ability to generate more foot traffic from the popular Saucon Trail and normal traffic buzzing through. What a great reason to stop and take a look at all of what Hellertown offers.
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with the CEO Ken Rampolla, who has spent more than 25 years in the area as the owner of Responsive Marketing Incorporated (RMI). RMI leads its industry in providing large quantities of steel to its customers. With the success of his company, it was a no-brainer for Ken when his son Kenny asked him to look over a business plan for the brewery. Kenny and longtime friends Rob Grim and Tony Gangi had put together some impressive work.
“It was their baby, and they brought it to us,” Kenny said of Rob and Tony, who he said did much of the work on the plan. “Their vision has taken us all to new levels together.”
When Ken objectively perused the plan, he was excited and proud that the group only needed the financial backing he could provide in a partnership with the company. That would free up the three younger men to fulfill their tasks as master brewers, cicerones and beer enthusiasts.
Finishing touches are placed on the bar at Lost Tavern Brewing in early June.
Part of the detailed plan includes the connection and commitment to Saucon Valley. Ken explained that most of the work done on the building was done by Hellertown area contractors, that the Borough of Hellertown has been very supportive and that a good portion of the ingredients for the beer and soda are being selected from local sources. Also, the brewers are using Hellertown water, despite having to purchase additional equipment that is necessary to provide the freshest beer possible.
Lost Tavern Brewing is looking forward to working with other local businesses to share in their success. At present, they have struck up an alliance with Bella’s Ristorante, also on Main Street, to have food delivered by request, and this week they are expecting to have new bike racks installed with help from their neighbor Saucon Valley Bikes. Even the hiring of their accountant represented a conscious effort to keep things local. They currently have allowed an intern from Moravian College to take on that position. They have made every effort to employ residents and raise the bar for bars.
The distinctive logo for Lost Tavern Brewing is prominently featured as a design element, both inside and outside the new brewery.
“We want this to be a nice place to enjoy a great fresh beer, order some food and discover Hellertown as the place we have cared for all of these years,” said Ken, who also explained that the atmosphere they expect to maintain will be comprised of responsible beer drinkers and families enjoying their fresh soda pop. Growlers (beer jugs) in three sizes will be available for take-out purchases.
Altogether, Lost Tavern Brewing is an example of progressive planning that is vital to any community, and in particular Hellertown, as many Main Street businesses recover from the economic losses the 412 expansion project has caused. I for one am really excited to meet a group of individuals with so much compassion toward and vision for our small town.
Tina Olson Wilkins is a resident of Hellertown and owner of Lehigh Valley Ladders Inc., a full-service arts and marketing company. As a new student of DeSales University, she serves on the board of the Hellertown/Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce and the 2016 Hellertown Community Day Committee. She also volunteers for PBS39.
