The CEO of a new La Mesa brewery announced several changes to the facility at a community meeting Tuesday evening in an effort to ease residents' concerns.
The new restaurant brewery, Depot Springs Beer Company, is located in a dense area of La Mesa near Soup Plantation on Fletcher Parkway.
CEO and Founder Aaron Dean shared several changes to the facility, including decreasing the building size to maintain lower noise levels, adding 100 new parking spots and even offering incentives for patrons who take public transportation to the restaurant.
“I have put a lot of sweat, blood and every penny I have into this,” Dean passionately explained.
Residents appeared to be in better spirits after the meeting, he said.
Once Depot Springs opens in June 2016, the community will have a big role in the restaurant's success, Dean said, because it has a conditional use permit. The permit means any violations that disrupts the surronding land, such as sound or zoning, could result in the closing of the brewery.
However, Dean’s biggest concern is seamlessly becoming part of the community he has known his whole life. Dean's grandfather bought the Depot Springs site in 1959.
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Dean also hopes this brewery will be more than a typical restaurant, as it combines the worlds of family-friendly dining with live music and local beer.
“We want to be the family-friendly restaurant brewery where families can come to listen to music and dine but those without a family also won’t feel inundated by children,” explained Dean.
He opened a kid-free zone in the brewery to help better maintain that delicate balance. A 2,500 square-foot enclosed media and alcohol-free kid’s “camp” will allow children to play in their own area while participating in art lessons under camp counselor supervision. The brewery is working with Grossmont College to find counselors and further their involvement in the community, Dean said.
While there is no other community meeting planned, Depot Springs will host a free patron appreciation event April 30 at Harry Griffen Regional Park. The event will feature live bands, arts and crafts tents, local beer, and family-friendly activities. More details on this specific event are to come.
For up-to-date information on the brewery, visit their Facebook page.
