World of Beer Franchising, Inc. (WOB) and New Tap Gateway, LLC, have signed a 10-year lease with Campus Partners, a subsidiary of Ohio State University (OSU), to develop a new tavern at the South Campus Gateway adjacent to the OSU campus in Columbus, Ohio. WOB is leasing 4,113 square feet at 1568 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43201 in the busy South Campus Gateway mixed-use development, a central location for the campus’s 55,000 students, 30,000 faculty and staff. Amanda Hoffsis, president of Campus Partners, and Keith Myers, associate vice president of physical planning and real estate at OSU, were instrumental in signing the lease agreement with New Tap Gateway, LLC, which plans to raise capital for the deal and expects to close within 30 days. This will be WOB’s third Columbus location.
“The World of Beer concept has really evolved since we opened our Brewery District and Easton locations and we are looking forward to introducing Columbus to the new Tavern Fare menu,” said Darren Greene, partner, New Tap Gateway, LLC.
The WOB-Columbus location is expected to open in March of 2015 and will feature an adjacent 4,500 square-foot patio and beer garden transforming an underutilized pedestrian walkway into an active, engaging outdoor environment that will benefit the entire South Campus Gateway development.
“The introduction of an open air beer garden at the South Campus Gateway will be a game changer not only for WOB but for the entire neighborhood surrounding the OSU campus,” said Mark Pottschmidt, partner, New Tap Gateway, LLC.
Celebrating the popularity of craft beer and its culture, WOB offers over 500 varieties of craft beer in bottles along with an extensive draft menu with taps that rotate daily so guests will discover something new and unique on every visit. Signature craft spirit cocktails, ciders and wine along with non-alcoholic beverages are also available. Pairing its craft brews with the franchise’s signature “Tavern Fare” menu, WOB offers sandwiches, main plates and appetizers, such as Giant Bavarian Pretzels and an Artisan Sausage Board, to complement the many beer styles.
Brewing Variety One Beer at a Time
WOB is proud to partner with many local breweries to provide guests with the best variety of local craft beers they won’t find anywhere else. The WOB experience is centered around a global menu of beverages, live music and televised sports. Guests can also enjoy live music Thursday through Saturday nights, as well as monthly brewery nights and spotlights, mini-tap takeovers, and holiday themed events celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, WOBtoberfest and more. WOB is working with Campus Partners to host several game day beer festivals at the South Campus Gateway this fall.
Since opening its first tavern in Tampa, Florida in 2007, WOB has grown to 60 locations in 19 states. What began as a neighborhood tavern to sample great craft beers and swap beer-talk for co-founders Scott Zepp and Matt LaFon is becoming a unique cultural phenomenon celebrating the world of craft beers, great food and camaraderie.
About World of Beer Franchising: World of Beer (WOB) is an uncommon establishment where the experience is as essential as the product. Centered on a diverse selection of local and global craft beers, delicious “tavern fare” and live music, WOB offers the best craft variety on the planet to the beer aficionado and casual beer fan alike. Taverns are currently open in 19 states including AL, AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, and WI and will be opening soon in IN, KY, LA, MA, MN, OK and PA. Visit www.wobusa.com.
