Springboro leader: New Warped Wing jump-starts Wright Station project

The second building in Springboro’s central crossroads redevelopment is about to take shape.

The Springboro City Council is expected on Thursday to approve drawings and elevations for the Warped Wing Brewing Company Barrel Room & Smokery.

“This project is important because it jump-starts the business development portion of Wright Station,” Springboro City Manager Chris Pozzuto said on Tuesday. “Warped Wing will bring the restaurant/gathering aspect that our residents are looking for on that property.”

>> 23 Dayton-area women named to Empower cohort

According to the drawings, the Dayton-based microbrewery’s second location will extend south to near Ohio 73, Central Avenue in Springboro.

RELATED: Dayton microbrewery to open 2nd location in Springboro 

The drawings also provide a clearer picture of some of the roads at Wright Station.

Wright Station Way is to run along Warped Wing’s east side, intersecting with Jonathan Drive within the city’s 6.2-acre redevelopment. Founders Drive would run northeast to southwest between the new Warped Wing at Wright Station and the Springboro Performing Arts Center.

The performing arts center opened this week.

Wright Station is a 6.2-acre acre redevelopment by the city and Mills Development.

The development is at the center of a 62-acre urban village the city has begun planning.

RELATED: Springboro unveils 62-acre urban village plan

The Wright Station development plan and agreement require the city council to approve all building plans. The council meets in work session at 6 p.m. and formal session at 7 p.m. Thursday at Springboro City Hall, 320 W. Central Ave.

According to renderings, the brewery’s winged trademark will fill most of the wall facing Central Avenue, with a patio on the eastern corner. An entrance and two tall doors for deliveries will dominate the north side, across from the performing arts center.

On the west side, two windows and signs for Warped Wing Wright Station will fill most of the wall. The east side will offer more outdoor seating next to Wright Station Way, according to the elevation drawings.

“They expect to start building within a month or two, once all necessary building permits have been filed and approved,” Pozzuto added in email responses.

In July, the Dayton-based brewery announced plans to expand into the Cincinnati area through a partnership with Ohio Eagle Distributing in West Chester Twp.

RELATED: Springboro Performing Arts Center opening this week

Warped Wing self-distributes its beers in the Dayton and Columbus areas, and has entered into agreements with other distributors in the Toledo, Findlay and Bowling Green markets to make its brews available in northwest Ohio.

In June, Warped Wing unveiled plans for a large taproom, outdoor biergarten, 400-barrel aging space, taproom, eatery, “test-pilot” brewery, as well as special-event space, canning, packaging and distribution at its next location in Springboro.

The $3 million, 20,000-square-foot building is also be the company’s main distribution point.

“All our raw materials and finished goods will be rolling out of the Springboro location,” John Haggerty, partner and brew master, said at the time.

Warped Wing Wright Station could open as early as next spring, Mills Development president Jerad Barnett said in June.

RELATED: Best of Dayton: Warped Wing famous for its beer selection, Dayton flavors

Despite the investment in Springboro, Nick Bowman, Warped Wing co-founder and vice president of sales and marketing, said the owners “are absolutely committed to our production brewery and taproom” in downtown Dayton.

“We love being a part of the downtown Dayton community,” Bowman said. “Springboro gives us the opportunity to expand our barrel-aged program and incorporate a pilot system to experiment.”

Bowman and Barnett could not be reached on Tuesday.

Wright Station is also expected to include restaurants, retail shops and office space in a “pedestrian-friendly setting.”

About the Author