Union Beer House is set to get new digs next year, with the local joint known for its cheesesteaks and beer selection taking over the former Country Cupboard space at 2631 Cumberland Street in North Lebanon Township.
Owner-operator Mak Mam bought the former grocery store after seeing it go up for sale by Thomas Bechtold of Re/Max of Lebanon County. Mam said they checked out the building on Labor Day and things happened quickly. (The deal closed Nov. 18 with the property purchased for $580,000 from Rama & Rajni, LLC, according to county real estate records.)
Not that Mam needed much time to get acquainted with the place – Mam, a 1995 A-C graduate, like many Lebanon Countians had driven past the store countless times growing up, and shopped there as well.
Right now, Union Beer House shares an approximately 25-spot parking lot with a few other businesses. The new location will have 30 parking spots just for Union Beer house alone. The building, built in 1977, has lots of nooks and crannies. One of the biggest changes for Mam and family will be the separate industrial kitchen at Country Cupboard, providing more room for prep and cooking. The deli section could end up being put into use in the final design somehow, too – planning is in early stages right now and Mam said that they are working with a floor designer to figure out exactly what they want to do.
However the floor plan plays out, the new location will definitely have more seating, more TVs, and more taps than the current location. Union Beer House currently operates at 1600 Cumberland St., located in North Cornwall Township. North Lebanon Township supervisors approved the license transfer to the new address in November, with PLCB approval expected to follow.
Mam said he hopes Union Beer House becomes more of a place for people to congregate, although the same hours will be maintained with things always shutting down by 11 p.m. Mam mentioned entertainment, trivia night, and music as possible options for the new space, in addition to being a good spot for happy hour/after work meetups.
Mam hopes to incorporate healthier options on the menu thanks to the expanded kitchen space, and is considering offering Impossible meat as a healthier alternative for your next “wit’ wiz.“
Although ongoing supply chain issues make planning difficult (Mam mentioned furniture he ordered for the current location six months ago, which still hasn’t arrived), Union Beer House is looking at a late June/early July 2022 move-in date and hopes to find a contractor to complete the project in that period.
For more information as the move gets closer, follow Union Beer House on Facebook.
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