CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville natives, the Cunningham family, will soon see their vision of opening a downtown brewery and restaurant come true.
The Cunninghams have been involved in various local projects throughout the years, including the most recent development of Old Glory Distilling Co. The family is in the process of renovating the future site of Strawberry Alley Ale Works at 103 Strawberry Alley, which will be open to the public in March.
The development will include the restaurant, tap room, and a private gathering space featuring made-from-scratch recipes, original beer selections brewed in-house, craft cocktails and top-quality wines.
“Strawberry Alley Ale Works was designed to provide a space for the community to come together and enjoy made from scratch food and beverages,” said Tom Cunningham, one of the family partners. “We took care in naming the restaurant making sure we stayed true to Strawberry Alley and its history. We are excited to join the ongoing revitalization efforts and wanted to invest in the area to help downtown continue to flourish.”
The site of Strawberry Alley Ale Works is the combination of two historic downtown buildings that were formerly home to multiple restaurants and bars, including Brunie’s and Joe B’s. The main dining level is comprised of 7,300 total square feet of indoor restaurant seating. Included is a multi-level outdoor deck that offers guests expansive views of downtown extending to Cumberland River and beyond.
Once Strawberry Alley Ale Works opens, expansion will begin on the top level of the building to complete a 5,000-square-foot tap room. This open space will offer a 360-degree view of the historic downtown while guests enjoy house-brewed beers in a smoke-free environment.
“Montgomery County is showing amazing growth, and developments like Strawberry Alley Ale Works are a major part of this growth,” said Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett. “This much-anticipated restaurant and brewery will continue the recent positive real estate movement downtown that began with the construction of the Downtown Commons last November. This restaurant will add to the great selection of local downtown eateries and shopping establishments on a growing list and will be another great draw to the heart of our community.”
Strawberry Alley Ale Works will feature a private gathering space, which can accommodate more than 70 guests. Normally utilized for regular dining, the space can be reserved for corporate dinners, family gatherings, Hail and Farewells and other private functions, and will include a private entrance and a dedicated bar to serve guests.
“I’ve watched with great interest the progress on the Strawberry Alley Ale Works, which is next door to City Hall,” Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan said. “I’ve been impressed with the quality restoration of this large downtown building, and the attention to design and details. This kind of private investment and jobs creation are essential elements of our broad downtown revitalization efforts. Certainly, a new brewery and restaurant will be a great addition to our downtown.”
The new restaurant will provide 100 job opportunities. Those interested may apply at 103 Jefferson St., Suite 101 in Clarksville or by visiting www.saaleworks.com.
“We are excited about the addition of another new restaurant in our historic downtown,” said Melinda Shepard, executive director of the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber appreciates the local entrepreneurs and business owners who see the value in investing in the downtown area and creating unique dining experiences, like the one coming with Strawberry Alley Ale Works, for both our residents and out-of-town visitors.”