As The Glass Jug quickly approaches 10 full years since opening its doors in South Durham - 6.5 years in the current RTP storefront - owners Chris & Katy Creech are reinvesting in the physical space, as well as their commitment to the South Durham / RTP community.
Dedicated Family-Friendly Space
In an effort to be as family-friendly as possible, while still maintaining distinct areas for guests who prefer an experience without kids, the team at The Glass Jug evaluated how the beer garden was being used, and, based on this information, converted an under-utilized corner of the outdoor space into a dedicated family area.
Rubber mulch was installed, along with a small fence to keep kids and toys out of the road. The area was completed with a climbing structure, an airplane teeter-totter, and a funnel ball game, plus a toy box with an assortment of balls and toys (The Glass Jug is always welcoming used toys if you want to donate anything to the box!).
Next to the playground area, three in-ground metal picnic tables were installed so families can sit and enjoy a beverage while keeping an eye on their kids while they play.
Our team has loved seeing how much use this area has gotten since being installed in April. There have been lots of families enjoying this new space and it has also resulted in groups with kids all congregating in this formerly underused area of the space, leaving the rest of the beer garden, patio, and indoor seating available for individuals or groups without children. It has been a win-win-win for families with kids, guests without kids, and the business.
New Raised & Covered Beer Garden Stage
Another upgrade that the team has been super excited about is the raised, covered stage that includes lights and a fan.
Not only has this been a huge upgrade for all of the musicians, comedians, and other performers visiting the beer garden but it also creates an elevated (pun intended) experience for everyone enjoying live music, trivia, comedy, or any other performance at The Glass Jug!
New Backbar Mural & Backsplash
The back bar area has seen a lot of use over the years, and it was time for a fresh coat of paint. Additionally, the original backsplash had become stained and difficult to clean. The leadership team put their heads together to re-imagine how this area could be upgraded to better reflect the Glass Jug brand, while increasing its functionality and bringing a fresh, fun new vibe to the space.
After a fresh coat of light blue paint, Scott Nurkin of The Mural Shop did an amazing job painting a new Glass Jug logo above the taps, surrounding it with hand-drawn illustrations of formulas, equations, charts, and diagrams related to the science of beermaking.
Once the painting was done, the team at Crafty Beer Guys removed the old backsplash and installed a custom-cut stainless steel backsplash that is easy to wipe clean, looks fantastic, and matches our brand aesthetic. We could not be more thrilled with how the back bar has turned out.
Improvements to the Building
If you’ve been to the RTP location recently, you have likely noticed the construction zone and the improvements that are being made to the entire building.
The owners of the center sold the out-parcel at the intersection of Hwy 55 and Sedwick, and it is being redeveloped - hence the bulldozers and chain-link fencing around a portion of the parking lot.
On the bright side, the funds from that sale are being reinvested into the center. The first thing you’ll notice is a new facade - the brick face of the building has been painted white, while the roof and ceiling over the walkways are now a charcoal gray. It’s a clean, fresh new look that really grabs your attention when you drive by.
With the painting, all of the existing signage on the building was removed and replaced with temporary banners. However, The Glass Jug is currently working with a local electrician and sign company to get a new illuminated Glass Jug Beer Lab sign manufactured and installed this fall. It’s going to look awesome!
In addition to the improvements to the physical building, the entire parking lot will get re-paved, and the (struggling) landscaping will be pulled out and replaced, providing some fresh life to the center. The team is looking forward to these upgrades in the coming months, depending on the construction timeline for the new out-parcel.
Fire Pits
Lastly - and more will be posted about this soon - The Glass Jug is excited to announce the addition of fire pits to the beer garden this fall. Through a partnership with SoloStove, small table-top fire pits will provide heat at the picnic tables, and larger fire pits throughout the beer garden can be used for an amazing experience with friends and family at the brewery. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!
All of these improvements - the stage, kids play area, new tables, fire pits, a new sign, murals, and a backsplash - all come with a price tag. However, these improvements were all chosen because we believe they will strengthen our ability to build community and show our dedication to this area - well beyond the 10 years we’ve been here so far. The Glass Jug plans to be here for years to come, and we hope you will continue to support your local neighborhood brewery and bottle shop. It is your support that allows us to continually re-invest in our people, our space, and our community.
If you haven’t been by recently, we hope you’ll plan a trip to see all of the work that has been put into the space this year. Our 10th anniversary week is full of fun events, so we’d love to see you then. Cheers!
