Something’s brewing in downtown Waynesboro. Demo begins for revitalization project

The Record Herald
·3 min read

Interior demolition and other foundation work began last week at Mainstreet Waynesboro’s 21 E. Main St. Redevelopment Project, the future site of a restaurant, brew pub and Mainstreet’s offices.

Waynesboro Construction is the general contractor for the project. Crews began the main phase of demolition on Monday, July 24. Don Smith of Smith Company Design and Architecture of Waynesboro is the designer and architect.

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The building is next to the Main Street Park, home of the weekly farmers market, concerts and other events.

The project is expected to cost between $2 million and $2.5 million and will generate revenue for Waynesboro’s downtown revitalization organization for the foreseeable future, according to Bill Kohler, Mainstreet’s director of economic development.

Through the support of donors, Mainstreet has already invested more than $120,000 in the façade and side of the building.

Mainstreet Waynesboro Inc. held a ground-breaking ceremony in June for the next phase of its 21 E. Main St. Redevelopment Project. Pictured, from left, are Christie Yerger from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; Greg Duffey, past board president; Alexandra Sipe, current board president; Bill Kohler, director of economic development; Carrie du Breuil of Waynesboro Construction; Paul Gunder, past board president; Don Smith, project designer and architect; Nancy Bull from U.S. Rep. John Joyce’s office; Franklin County Commissioner Robert Ziobrowski; and Waynesboro Mayor Richard Starliper.

The plans call for gutting the existing structure, which served as home to The Men’s Shop for many decades, and adding approximately 75 feet on the back.

The front section will house a restaurant and brew pub with 2,425 square feet on the lower level and an upstairs overflow dining and banquet room of about 1,500 square feet.

The back section would include offices for Mainstreet Waynesboro, a welcome center, storage and space for one more tenant.

The project will feature large glass doors that will open out to Main Street Park. Tables and chairs will be outside the doors.

The final construction phase will follow the current work.

Mainstreet, which is an independent non-profit that does not receive any funding for operations from local, state or federal government, will be embarking on a capital campaign in October to raise the remaining $1 million for the project.

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Major donors and grantors for the project to date include the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the Franklin County Impact Grant, Franklin County Redevelopment Authority, U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Rep. John Joyce, Waynesboro Beneficial Fund, Alma Oyer, Waynesboro Industrial Development Corp., Tom Beck, Steve and Maxine Beck, Greg Duffey and Middletown Valley Bank.

“We are really humbled by the support we have received so far, and we hope the community continues to support this project in the future,” Kohler said.

Paul Gunder and Greg Duffey, past board chairs for Mainstreet Waynesboro, are leading the capital campaign. A 25th anniversary gala at The Counting House, 10 W. Main St., is scheduled for Oct. 21. All proceeds from the gala will go toward the 21 E. Main St. Redevelopment Project.

“This is a vital project not just for Mainstreet, but it’s vital for Main Street,” Kohler said. “It will help us continue to be a key contributor to the great quality of life that we enjoy in Waynesboro.”

For more information or to donate, email Kohler at bill@waynesboro.org or call 717-762-0397.

This article originally appeared on Waynesboro Record Herald: Mainstreet Waynesboro’s latest redevelopment project underway