A new kind of tap room could soon open in Fort Mill. One key county board must say ‘OK’
A new kind of tap room could come to Fort Mill, if one county board agrees it should be allowed.
Brayden Village Partners applied to the county zoning board of appeals for three special exceptions to allow the tap room on property at 810 and 816 Brayden Parkway. Noble Pourhouse would lease about 2,000 square feet and a more than 800-square-foot patio. Variances are needed to reduce how far the tap room can be from residences, allow outdoor seating until midnight and reduce parking requirements.
The shopping center is almost 6 acres and 32,000 square feet at the intersection of S.C. 160 and Brayden Parkway. The new tap room would be in a more than 14,000-square-foot building for four tenants. Brayden is a 150-acre mix of residential and commercial sites off S.C. 160 between Fort Mill and Tega Cay.
County staff recommends against two of the three needed special exceptions. The site would be about 80 feet from residential properties, rather than the typically required 300 feet. Typically the outdoor seating would end at 10 p.m. rather than midnight. Both concerns lead to recommendations against the changes.
The proposed business wouldn’t serve hard liquor, a required deed restriction. Tap rooms aren’t allowed either, but a vote from the Brayden homeowner association could change that. According to information submitted to the county, there’s been support from the homeowner group for the project.
The county zoning board of appeals meets Thursday to hear the case.
A different approach to a tap room
If the tap room comes, it could be unlike others in the area. Information submitted to the county indicate it will be a self-serve tap room with a rotating selection of 40 microbrew beers, wines and kambuchas from local and national brands. A focus will be on brewers from the Carolinas.
A card or wristband would be used to allow dispensed beverages without need of a traditional bartender. The system would cap sales to each individual at 32 ounces, though a staff member could override and allow up to 16 more ounces depending on the customer’s perceived safe limit.
Brayden Village Shopping Center added several new tenants in the past year. Duck Donuts, Super Chix, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop and others have grown the food scene there. Nearby, there’s an Earth Fare and other destinations to serve the growing area.
