đș How King's Road Brought Long Overdue Change to Downtown Haddonfield
The newsletter looks at the impact a brewery can have on a downtown.
Kyle Phillippi
August 18, 2023
Good afternoon, yâall! đș
We've got another newsletter as we near two months of operation. Weâre excited to bring to you another round of BGBRâs top picks for this weekend. You'll see that she stuck true to form and went over the Top 5 that I set. She also has some fall beers in there (against my wishes) so if youâre like me and can't bear the thought of those before Labor Day, issue all complaints to her inbox. In all seriousness, there were a TON of fun releases this week so she had a lot to choose from and Iâll be the first to say she covered all of the standout ones.
We also have our newsletter story spotlighting Kingâs Road Brewing. A popular joint in South Jersey with two locations, Kingâs Road also helped bring much-needed change/additions to its downtown, which is the focus of our story.
I also have some housekeeping news real quick. Iâll be on vacation down the Jersey Shore (where else would a Jerseyan go?) this week so content may be a little scarce next week but the newsletter will be out regardless! So just bear with me as I soak up all that's left of the summer. I'll be sharing all of my âresearchâ over on Instagram so give that a follow if you don't already.
So crack a cold one open (you deserve it), and let's get reading!
By the way, if you arenât already, make sure to subscribe to the newsletter so you donât miss out on any of the news from the week! Emails go out just once per week every Friday so no fear of spam, we promise! It also helps us grow!
Kingâs Road Brought Positive Change to Haddonfieldâs Downtown
Setting up a brewery in New Jersey is no easy task. Itâs not as simple as âHey, letâs open up a brewery.â There are a lot of meetings, approvals, and paperwork (oh, and lots of waiting around).
Bob Hochgertel recalls one moment during a zoning meeting back in February of 2017. This was about 11 months before they opened up Kingâs Road Brewing in Haddonfield. At the time, Kingâs Road was attempting to break into a dry town and change the landscape of the already popular downtown.
He remembered one remark made by someone during that meeting, âWe (Haddonfield) need to start focusing on the type of town we want to be, instead of the town we used to be.â
Thanks to Kingâs Road and the role it played, the Kings Highway downtown section in Haddonfield has become an even bigger destination, one that is ripe with drinking options beyond beer.
Haddonfield is A Hot Spot for Social Drinkers
Walk down Kingâs Highway today and it's nowhere near what it was 10 years ago. The look is still there, and many restaurants and shops have remained, but it's bustling more than ever⊠and not just in the evenings. The street is active all day.
Bob only believes Kingâs Road played a small role in this change though thereâs a lot of credit that deserves to go their way. What was and remains a dry town (the town does not sell or administer liquor licenses) has become home to a drinking trifecta. Kingâs Road started this off at the end of 2017. William Heritage Winery followed suit in May 2020 and just this year, Wildfether Distilling set up shop downtown.
Like it was mentioned, Bob is modest in giving all the credit to this transformation to his brewery, but he's well aware of the foundation it set, âIt is incredibly rewarding to know that we played some role in it.â
New Jersey is filled with beautiful and historical downtowns and main streets. There are examples of breweries revitalizing a main drag (such ad Dr. Brewlittleâs in Maple Shade) and others that have brought a new dynamic to the street like we've seen in Medford and Red Bank, for example. The latter is where Kingâs Road falls in. Haddonfield was already a known commodity for its shopping district but it lacked a true hangout spot.
Now that problem has been solved.
âOn the weekends, we see a large and growing number of people that are visiting the brewery, winery, and distillery as they stroll Kings Highway. Moreover, they are shopping in town, eating at one of our restaurants, and grabbing dessert or a frozen treat at the end of their evening. It has been great for all concerned.â
Kings Road is a Local Establishment Through and Through
Photo Credit: @KingsRoadBrewing
Bob and the rest of the original ownership team at Kingâs Road are certainly engrained in the town. They all take extra pride in the work that they've done within their own backyard which they currently reside in and are raising their families in.
âWe were very invested in this town even before the brewery. We decided to do this to help create a destination in the downtown to help increase visitor and patron traffic.â
Since opening up, the brewery has already moved to a new building on the street and has already set up another second location in Medford.
All of that success and change is a credit to the locals and those that now view Haddonfield as a weekend (and weekday) destination where you can grab a drink at the âalcohol trifectaâ as Bob perfectly described it.
Since Kingâs Road has opened its doors, it's not just the addition of the winery and distillery that have helped to reinvigorate the town. The added tourist traffic has lent itself to more restaurants and boutiques opening up. With more people visiting and staying later because of the drinking options, these same businesses are also staying open later, showing just how impactful the addition of a brewery can be on a downtown.
âThis âdryâ town now has the âalcohol trifecta.â Restaurants and retail are thriving. The downtown is incredibly robust, but it is not just one thing or one business â we are all working together. It has really been very exciting to be a small part of this.â
That one remark way back in 2017 has certainly come to fruition. It should also serve as a reminder to other towns that are looking at ways of improving their tourism footprint. Viewing things as what you want to become as opposed to what got you to this point is how Haddonfield went from being a spot to grab dinner and hit a shop or two to an all-day destination where you can grab a beer, grab lunch, some ice cream and walk all that off with the growing list of shops.
Basic Girl Brew Reviewâs Most Anticipated Beers This Weekend
Another week, another impressive list of New Jersey beers that you should check out. I sent over a pretty long list of beers to BGBR this week and gave her the task of figuring out five beers to pick (she went above that, of course). Iâll give her credit though. She stuck to her guns and included some fall options with one caveat (canât drink until October). Sheâll also be trying some of these as soon as Friday night so stay tuned for that. Letâs get into it.
Pale Ale, 6.0% (Credit: @IcarusBrewing)
Growing up at the Jersey Shore, there is nothing like the local summer when all of the âbennies' leave to go home (Editorâs Note: Shots fired at myself) and we can actually enjoy our beaches and bars. This Pale Ale sounds amazing - a mix of hops conditioned on toasted coconut and dragon fruit. What an odd pairing but sounds like something I would love!
Pumpkin Ale, 5.8% (Credit: @BucketBrigadeBrewery)
Iâm sorry but I can not resist anything pumpkin flavored. I told you I PROMISED not to open until 10/1 and I can keep that, but we need to stock up now!!
Imperial IPA, 8.0% (Credit: @SourceBrewing)
I saw this on Sourceâs IG and just thought âDamn that sounds refreshing and now I donât want summer to end.â (Editorâs Note: Yet BGBR canât resist buying fall beersâŠ). Pair this with some vanilla ice cream and you are set for the best summer night ever.
Peanut Butter Stout, 12.9% (Credit: @JerseyCycloneBrewing)
Shocked I am picking this as I am not a stout girl but Peanut Butter Cups are my favorite candy and this just sounds like it would be so smooth and taste phenomenal. Also, 12.9% will put me to bed and I am ok with that.
Sour Ale, 5.2% (Credit: @LastWaveBrewing)
I love Last Wave and wish I could find it up north more. I saw this on their IG and instantly said I need to try it. I love that it has all of these flavors but also doesnât look like its a thick sour. It looks like something you could easily sip on.
NE Style DIPA, 8.0% (Credit: @BrixCityBrewing)
I am heading to Brix this weekend to meet up with a friend so this will be on my list to try out. Will report back to everyone once I have it :) The notes of this brew are intriguing.
Festbier, 5.7% (Credit: @ForgottenBoardwalk)
I know, I know - no fall beers until October but I at least can purchase them until then. This is a must and if I know Forgotten Boardwalk, this is probably amazing. I am (kinda) ready for all the Oktoberfests!
Stories You May Have Missed This Week
As always, thanks again for checking out another Jersey Pour newsletter and for your continued support!