Around Town

World of Beer on tap for Costco center

by Amanda Bedgood

Another tavern is coming to Lafayette's new Costco-anchored shopping center, as World of Beer confirms a 4,500-square-foot location slated to open in the first quarter of 2016.

Another tavern is on tap for the Costco-anchored Ambassador Town Center, as World of Beer confirms a 4,500-square foot tavern slated to open in Lafayette in the first quarter of 2016. The $95 million Ambassador Town Center is under construction on a 58-acre site at Ambassador Caffery Parkway and Kaliste Saloom Road.

ABiz also recently reported that BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse will join the center's tenant lineup.

A national chain, World of Beer is a hybrid of international libations and local brews. The company has one Louisiana location in Metairie and another opening in August on Julia Street in New Orleans's Warehouse District.

"Our concept is a craft beer bar," says development partner Andrew Johnstone. "And we've branched out to add wine and craft spirits and a tavern menu."

The business has locations around the country, but Johnstone says infusing local flavor is part of the essence of World of Beer. At the current Louisiana location you can find Bayou Teche and other brews from the home state, and Johnstone says the effort will continue at the Lafayette location to include locally sourced options along with the 50-plus beers World of Beer carries on tap.

Covington-based Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates of Chattanooga, Tenn., developers of the shopping center, confirmed that their tenant mix will also include Nordstrom Rack (Nordstrom's off-price division), Dick’s Sporting Goods, Field & Stream, Marshalls department store, HomeGoods (which, like Marshalls and T.J. Maxx, is owned by the TJX Companies), Off Broadway Shoes, Chuy’s Mexican restaurant, Panera Bread and Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.