New restaurant to open where Meridian taproom closed after ‘incredible’ support
When Loose Screw Beer Co. shuttered its McMillan Road taproom last year, the Meridian brewery made one thing clear: The reason was not a lack of business.
So it’s no surprise that another food-and-drink concept plans to take over the vacant space.
The Foundry, a new restaurant, is on its way to the 2,200-square-foot spot at 1511 W. McMillan Road, according to permits filed with the city. Details are scarce, but a project narrative from Jerrod P. Wallgren of JGT Architecture indicates that “the restaurant and bar will remain largely as is, with new food service equipment, exhaust hood and dish-washing equipment added to the space.”
If it wasn’t because of a lack of foot traffic, why did Loose Screw close in that spot? “This decision was strictly strategic and driven by Idaho law,” the locally owned brewery wrote on social media, “which limits breweries to two taprooms, one of which must be attached to the production facility. It was not due to a lack of sales or support. The McMillan community has been incredible, and we are grateful for the loyalty, energy, and memories created in this space.”
Even without knowing the specifics of The Foundry’s culinary concept, those words make its odds of succeeding seem solid.
Meanwhile, Loose Screw’s nearly 10,000-square-foot brewery and taproom facility continue to operate in downtown Meridian at the corner of Main Street and Carlton Avenue.
