PublicHouse Transforms a Church into a Beer Hall, Whiskey Bar and Food Court
Springfield, OR (just outside of Eugene) has a new top of the line multi-use beer bar with the potential to be one of the best in the simply named PublicHouse. The new taproom, restaurant, and beer garden is in the home of a former church with a grand hall-like space with dramatic stained glass windows, an outdoor patio, and full food menu, as well as local vendors and an upcoming whiskey bar in a shared space. PublicHouse has been developed by the duo behind two of Eugene's best beer bars the Tap & Growler and Beergarden.
PublicHouse is located in downtown Springfield in the former home of local food incubator Sprout. Before that it was First Christian Church. Co-owners Patric Campbell and Colby Phillips hope to breathe new life into the space while keeping Sprout's legacy alive.
More from an announcement by the owners:
“We're really excited to be a part of the evolution of this amazing, historic building,” says PublicHouse Co-owner Colby Phillips. “The original stained glass and wood architecture is impressive, and Nedco did a great job restoring it and transforming it into a business incubator and community hub. We're proud to be a part of the next phase and share every part of this beautiful space with the public, every day of the week.”
All of the food vendors that have been operating in Sprout will continue to serve PublicHouse patrons, with a few new food purveyors coming this summer. The venue already began a graduated opening earlier this month with a temporary indoor bar and an outdoor arbor bar. A beer hall, expected to open around July 1, will be created in the former church's sanctuary, along with a new whiskey bar — coming August 1. PublicHouse beer hall will have a variety of taps serving beer, wine, cider and Kombucha, including those brewed by all of the Eugene-Spring- field area’s best breweries.
PublicHouse is the pair’s third gathering space in the Eugene-Springfield area. The first, Tap & Growler, is located in Eugene's Market District and the second, Beergarden, is in the Whiteaker neighborhood. Phillips and Campbell worked with Drawn, a Eugene Creative Agency, to make both inviting spaces that center around food and drink while maintaining unique personalities that speak to their respective neighborhoods. Both Tap & Growler and Beergarden were also renovated using at least 75 percent salvaged and recycled materials. All of this will be true of PublicHouse, as well.
Expanding into Springfield is a natural fit for the beer-loving entrepreneurs. Phillips was born and raised in Springfield. Today, his wife is a teacher in town. Additional investors also bring Springfield roots to this new venture.
“As a Springfield native, I've always wanted to help revitalize downtown Springfield,” Phillips says. “My mom and grandmother have told many stories of how vibrant downtown was in its heyday and I'm proud to be a part of the effort to bring it back to that level again. I believe that this building can play a pivotal role.”
A vibrant and growing energy is once again making Downtown Springfield a community hub — perfect for a gathering space that will bring friends and families together over plates and pints seven days a week.
PublicHouse Hub / 418 A Street / Springfield, OR 97477
