Kelowna craft brewery uses circus tent to extend patio season
You won't see any carnies in the circus tent a Kelowna craft brewery, only refreshing beer.
Barn Owl Brewing Company, located at an old heritage barn in Kelowna’s Mission area, has erected circus tent beside their barn to extend the patio season and follow social distancing measures put in place by B.C.’s provincial health officer.
The tent has heaters and contains themes of the barn, co-owner Gary Brucker said.
“(We're) using barn wood and we’re trying to carry over the interior decorating inside. It just looks weird from the outside,” he said.
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Although it's not what the owners originally envisioned with the brewery's barn theme, Brucker said "you adjust, you pivot, you make do."
“It was pretty successful to have two patios in the summer, but as it’s getting to the point now where it’s getting colder, (we had to decide) how we are going to have the capacity to space people” he said.
They looked at renting a tent or purchasing an awning, but found that purchasing a circus tent would be more cost-effective and lasts longer.
“People do like being out there so we ordered a 20-by-20 foot circus tent and raised the roof last week,” he said.
The tent will allow the brewery to use the same outdoor space for the winter months, and people will be able to physically distance from one another.
Overall, the summer was a good one for Barn Owl Brewing, despite COVID-19, they have the neighbourhood support.
“We’re not struggling, we’re not on the brink of disaster… We’re pretty confident we’re going to make it with their support… We’re grateful,” he said.
The brewery is holding its first ever barn market Sunday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot.
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