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In the category of ECONOMIC VITALITY, Best Adaptive Reuse Project, an Award of Merit is presented to: Jenni and Chris Jorgensen, Brad and Lynn Wynn, Jeannie Jones, and Bobbitt Design Build for Norse Brewing Company.
The owner of an Italian restaurant, located at 203 Brooks Street in downtown Wake Forest, retired, closed the restaurant, and put the property up for sale. In early 2019, Jenni and Chris Jorgensen, and Brad and Lynn Wynn saw an opportunity! The couples purchased the building and renovated the ground level and front porch, built out the basement, and added a back patio and stairwell. In December 2019, Norse Brewing Company opened its doors, offering fine craft brews, specialty cocktails, and a Nordic menu that will awaken your inner Viking.
Norse Brewing is located on a side street, with property adjoining the building footprint. The space allows the business to offer outside dining. The owners have already announced plans to add 16,200 square feet on three levels to the existing building. The expansion will add public space and allow the business to bottle its craft beer and add craft sodas to its brewing list.
The project represents a $2.5 million investment in downtown Wake Forest that created 59 part-time and seven full-time jobs. The owners envision the brewery as a place where everyone is welcome. Etched in stone in front of Norse Brewing is the quote, “We are a Modern Viking Community of All Peoples – A brotherhood and sisterhood of people who are all different both on the outside and the inside, but when we come together we are one and the same joining our differences in strength and celebration to each do our part to make the Great Feasts truly great and together drink from the horn of plenty.”