A whole new world will open its doors in Gainesville this fall — a World of Beer that is.
World of Beer will open in Newberry’s Tioga Town Center in November or December, said Thomas Popa, partner at World of Beer.
“We just want to provide a comfortable place where everyone in the community feels welcome to share a beer, enjoy friends, watch the game or listen to some great live music,” he said.
The establishment will have about 500 bottles of beer and 40 drafts on tap, Popa, 35, said. It plans to host family-friendly events for the community throughout the year generally geared toward music.
He said Tioga Town Center will be a great fit for the establishment, although expanding to another location near campus in the future is a strong possibility.
Tioga Town Center business owner Dave Anders, 49, of Dave’s New York Deli, said he looks forward to being neighbors with World of Beer.
“New business is important for the Town Center,” Anders said, “and World of Beer will be a great addition to the mix of businesses we have now.”
He said the large selection of beers should evoke a positive reaction from students.
Tioga is about 11 miles from the UF’s main campus.
Stephen Reyes, a 22-year-old advertising major at UF, said he feels great about the opening of World of Beer in Gainesville. However, he said, it won’t be conveniently located for students.
UF journalism senior Kaitlyn Sullivan, 22, said she doesn’t see the franchise gaining a lot of student popularity because similar establishments, such as Gainesville House of Beer, are closer to campus.
While Gainesville House of Beer, the smaller company, parallels the larger incoming franchise in atmosphere, Aaron Salgado, 29-year-old manager at Gainesville House of Beer, said the opening of World of Beer won’t be a disadvantage to either business.
Salgado said his company welcomes anyone willing to promote craft beer and make Gainesville one of Florida’s premier markets for quality beer.
“It’s just another chance to realize there’s an entirely different, exciting world out there beyond the macro brews of Bud, Miller and Coors,” he said.
Popa said World of Beer is set to operate from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 2 a.m. Friday through Sunday. Prices will range from $3 beers to $300 bottles, with an average overall price of about $5 per beverage.
“We hope the community will be as excited as we are to open in Gainesville,” Popa said. “People everywhere are starting to drink better beer, Gainesville included.”
World of Beer is set to open in Newberry’s Tioga Town Center in either November or December. The franchise will offer about 500 bottles of beer and 40 drafts on tap at the new Gainesville location.
