Port Coquitlam’s second microbrew to open is the first out of the gate to apply for a doubling of lounge seats.
Taylight Brewing submitted its bid to the city last Friday — four days after council voted 6-1 to increase tasting room capacity to 50 chairs in craft breweries and distilleries.
Currently, PoCo has two microbreweries — Taylight and Northpaw — and Provincial Spirits, which makes gin and vodka; another brewer, Tinhouse, is set to open in the new year, in the same Dominion Triangle area as Northpaw and Provincial Spirits.
Today (Thursday), a spokesperson for Taylight told The Tri-City News the owners are pleased with council’s decision to boost the permitted lounge chairs and, in its initial business plan, had anticipated a rise and set up its premises for growth.
Still, Taylight will have to get council’s OK to vary its development permit, and ask for an occupancy change — among other things — from B.C.’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation branch before any more chairs are put out for customers.
Extra parking requirements won’t be an issue, the spokesperson said, as it has 11 stalls attached to its unit, located at Kebet Way and Coast Meridian Road, and three neighbouring tenants have signed papers with Taylight to allow patrons to use their commercial spots on evenings and weekends (a total of 14 parking stalls are needed under the city bylaw for a 50-seat tasting room); street parking is also available.
With council’s recent move, Taylight is now programming its increased space for future live music shows, yoga in the park (in the spring) and comedy nights.
“The overall plan moving forward is to get our kegged product out into distribution at bars and restaurants, and our canned packaged product into government and private liquor stores,” spokesperson Kaitlyn Wright said. “We want as many people as possible in B.C. to enjoy our great quality craft beer, brewed right here in Port Coquitlam.”
