A Mexican-Aztec inspired brewpub – Tepeyolot Cerveceria – is planned for San Marco, adjacent to the San Marco Crossing apartment development.
Owner Luis Melgarejo said he expects the brewpub to open by March at Kings Avenue and Bertha Street. He is leasing the space from TC Jax Holdings LLC.
Melgarejo said he would serve Mexican-style lagers, as well as IPAs, stouts, ales and possibly sours. He also would have ciders and wine available.
He estimates 15 to 20 taps.
The food menu includes Mexican street corn, chips and guacamole or salsa, quesadillas, tacos, churros and tamales.
The brewpub is taking over the space of a former office and recording studio at 2136 Kings Ave. The 5,407-square-foot building sits on 0.34 acres. It will seat 199 people.
Melgarejo said the total investment would be close to $800,000.
He said he would like to have outdoor seating, but if that isn’t possible because of parking constraints, there would be ample seating inside.
He’s working with an interior designer, who suggested he use dark wood with bright, bold accent colors. There would be a strong Aztec influence in the design as well.
In Aztec mythology, Tepeyolot is the god of earthquakes, echoes and jaguars. It’s depicted as a jaguar, which will be included in the brewpub’s branding.
Melgarejo said he liked San Marco because of the walkability of the neighborhood, the developments happening near the site – San Marco Crossing, San Marco Promenade and East San Marco – as well as the visibility from Interstate 95.
“I see the on-ramp and I think it’s pretty much free advertising,” he said.
Melgarejo said the space leaves him with room to grow and eventually start distributing.
“Everybody said go bigger and everybody said plan for growth,” he said. “Assume you’re not going to have enough cooler space from the start, assume you’re going to need more tanks.”
Before starting Tepeyolot Cerveceria, Melgarejo was a homebrewer, and then went to work for breweries in Gainesville and in Asheville, North Carolina. Through that, he learned enough to where he felt he could open his own.
“It’s been something we’ve been talking about doing for a while,” he said.
