USA, FL: Voodoo Brewing Co. expects to open in St. Petersburg early next year

A craft beer enthusiast has inked a lease for the shuttered building at 220 4th St. N., St. Petersburg where he plans to open the area’s first Voodoo Brewing Co. location, the St Pete Catalyst reported on October 31.

For months, a banner has stretched across the 1925 building reading “Voodoo Brewing now hiring,” but the doors remained locked, and the lights weren’t on.

Owned by St. Petersburg Hollander Hotel founder Michael Andoniades, the space was formerly occupied by the Orange Blossom Catering business. A different operator planned to open a Voodoo brewpub at the property, which was expected to open last year; however, a new independent Voodoo franchisee, Bob Skepnek, has stepped in.

“I saw this space early on during my site search,” said Skepnek. He toured the space multiple times with Andoniades before executing the lease several weeks ago.

“I visited the craft beer places around town, and there’s quite a scene. People have a passion for it. With the residents, tourists and artists, there’s a great cultural mix in the city, and I feel they will embrace us.”

He expects to open the brewery early next year.

Skepnek joined Voodoo Brewing this summer after wrapping up a 30-year manufacturing career in Chicago, where he designed electronics and eventually found himself shifting into a management role.

Skepnek said he has been a homebrewer since 1988.

“I signed with Voodoo because of their credibility and spectrum of different beers. Although I’d really like to make my own beer, there’s a huge barrier to entry to opening a brewpub. They specialize in their own product and supply it,” Skepnek said.

“This will be the next chapter for me. I can apply my skills from my past life and in management.”

The Pennsylvania-based brewery was founded in 2005. The company has several pubs throughout its home state and franchise locations in Colorado, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina, according to the corporate website.

Skepnek is hiring a contractor to renovate the 8,000-square-foot space, which he said will also host live music events.

“My goal is to create a big comfortable place for people to hang out at,” he said.

The two-story pub will have roughly 25 beers on tap with 15 of its Voodoo-branded beers and other drinks from local breweries, Skepnek said, noting he will be talking with distributors.

The existing Voodoo breweries serve IPAs, stouts, light beer and cocktails.

Despite the “now hiring” signs, Skepnek hasn’t yet started the hiring process but plans to employ 25 to 30 people.

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