The long wait in Loudon is finally over.
Monkey Town Brewing Company opened at 11 a.m. April 20 at 318 Angel Row in the former train depot.
The company has locations in Dayton and Chattanooga, along with Euchee Grill & Brewhouse in Ten Mile.
Alan Garrison, co-owner, said seeing customers walk through the door brought excitement and relief.
“We started this during COVID along with Chattanooga, and it just slowed everything down,” Garrison said. “We opened Chattanooga first, and in hindsight I wish I would’ve opened this first. … Chattanooga took way longer than we thought it was going to take. But I am very excited. Love Loudon.”
Garrison said one of his children who will be working at the location is living on Wharf Street and “embracing Loudon.”
The brewery was first announced in 2020 but faced obstacles because of the pandemic, lease complications and supply chain issues.
Garrison said support from city officials and residents has been incredible. He said people from Loudon and Tellico Village have been coming to the Dayton location for two years.
Most employees are from the Loudon area, including some students from Loudon High School.
The company is co-owned by Garrison and son, Kirby Garrison, who have a combined experience of more than 40 years in the restaurant business.
Kirby, who is also head brewer at all locations, said the goal must now be to deliver on everything promised the community.
“Really, with this location, we want to kind of try something different,” Kirby said. “The food menu is probably 90% different. It’s really almost like a test kitchen, if you will, for trying some new things, new concepts, potentially implement them at our other locations and really try to see if we can change.”
“A lot of restaurants fall victim to, they’ve enjoyed 10, 15, 20 years of the same thing and then, of course, everything from music to fashion to art, restaurant industry is no different, you have to be able to be a little flexible and change with the times,” he added. “That’s where our experience comes into play, and we kind of see the restaurant industry changing a little bit. This is a different market so we kind of have asked around enough to see what the need is and what the want is for this area, and I think that we’re going to be able to deliver on that hopefully.”
He said he and his dad were drawn to Loudon by the history of the building and a desire by city leadership to invest in downtown.
“Loudon is very active in reinvesting in their downtown and just trying to build the community and keep it growing,” Kirby said. “A lot of people have been moving into the area, and so they’re very willing to ... grow and say, ‘What can we do to make Loudon even better than it already is?’”
Within 30 minutes of opening, the bar and tables were bustling with patrons tasting craft beer and food.
Sarah Watkins and her children, who are home schooled, were attending for lunch. Watkins said they had been watching for the location to open.
“It’s neat seeing the old railroad station used for something,” she said.
Lexi Rogers, Addie Rohen and Fran Smallen came during their lunch break. Rogers said she is excited to have a new restaurant in Loudon, especially in such a unique location.
“I just like that it’s different,” Rogers said. “It’s Loudon. It’s small. We don’t get a lot of new things.”
“I guess a lot of people don’t like change around here, but it’s not really change, just something new,” Rohen added.
Carl Goins was at the bar tasting some of the beer on the tap. Goins said he goes to the Dayton location with friends and has anticipated the Loudon opening.
Goins said the menu was different, adding he would likely still visit the Dayton location for the variety of brews on tap.
