Whidbey’s Penn Cove Brewing Company to Open in Meatheads Location
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Whidbey’s Penn Cove Brewing Company to Open in Meatheads Location
Celebrated local brewers making major investments in new Lake Stevens tap room - the multi-story bar, restaurant and brew pub will open doors this September as Lake Stevens’ largest restaurant.
Penn Cove Brewing Company – the award-winning Whidbey-based brewery is set to open a new Lake Stevens taproom, bar and restaurant in newly-renovated digs.
The celebrated brewers have acquired the turnkey brewery location of since-closed Meatheads and are undergoing renovations ahead of a September 2023 opening.
According to documents filed with the City of Lake Stevens, Penn Cove plans to expand the existing facility by adding 50 seats and a cafe/bar to the second story, bringing the restaurant capacity to over 150 — making the taproom perhaps the largest restaurant in Lake Stevens at opening.
For specifics on the changes occurring at the future Penn Cove location, details on the much-lauded Northwest brewing company (and the pair of brothers behind the phenomenon) as well as plans, pictures and opening info for the Lake Stevens location, see below.
First, let’s take a quick look at the Who and the What behind Lake Stevens’ newest destination restaurant/taproom.
Penn Cove Brewing’s Pair of Brewing Brothers
Penn Cove Brewing Company was launched by brothers Marc and Mitch Aparicio in 2017, and has since operated to great local and regional acclaim.
Currently Whidbey Island’s largest brewery, Penn Cove operates tap rooms at Freeland and Coupeville – both local favorites and annual recipients of Best of Whidbey honors.
Marc, a retired US Coast Guard helicopter pilot, aerospace consultant and visiting professor at Arizona State University got involved in the beer space through the home brew community after retiring as a US Coast Guard Helicopter Pilot veteran in 2015.
Currently, in addition to running the Taproom/Brewery, Marc also runs a consultant business in the Aerospace Industry.
According to Penn Cove bio materials, Mitch Aparicio labels himself a technology salesman by day and drummer by night (making one wonder when the brewing comes in).
Dedicated to service through volunteer positions at the local Chamber and school district, Mitch can usually be found helping other local business and leading various fundraisers.
Penn Cove taprooms are known for a focus on customer experience, local craft beer, live music and special events.
The brothers say their taprooms strive to provide a variety of local arts and entertainment events.
Specifics for the Lake Stevens location haven’t been released.
Penn Cove Investing Serious Capital in LS Facility
Penn Cove moves into what was already a high-end, brand-new turnkey brewery location that operated for just over a year under the Meatheads BBQ brand.
The well-liked barbeque spot did not close for lack of support. The owners simply decided to move in a different direction for non-restaurant related factors.
Penn Cove’s new Lake Stevens Tap Room features seating for 100 at the entry level, with indoor and outdoor seating, a sizable bar top, full kitchen and high-end commercial brewing facility.
That said, apparently Penn Cove’s brewing brothers looked at the sparkling new facility and decided to sink over $300,000 into capital improvements – transforming the upstairs mezzanine area into an upper level bar and cafe.
According to documents obtained by J425, Penn Cove management has alterations in progress at the brewery location – an under-appreciated facility in its previous incarnation— and plans in progress show that the already outstanding design and utility of the brewing facility will debut in even better form when Penn Cove opens it doors.
Further, permitting plans reviewed by J425 show that Penn Cove Brewing Company intends to transform the mezzanine (non-enclosed upstairs portion of the facility) from office space into a bar top and cafe, increasing the occupancy by nearly fifty percent.
“Currently the mezzanine area is designated as office use, we are seeking to change one thousand square feet to coffee shop, bar and light food service seating area as an extension of the existing tap room on the main floor,” wrote Mark Neal on behalf of Penn.
All told, the new Penn Cove location will be able to handle over 150 concurrent patrons, meaning that upon opening, it may become the largest restaurant in Lake Stevens.
The Lake Stevens Taproom opens in September.
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