By Collin BreauxA new business called Chipley Station is looking to serve as a community hub for families in the area.
The coming new tap house will be downtown at 684 7th Street by the historic train depot, serve craft beer, and have food trucks on site. Chipley Station is expected to open sometime this year.
It will have indoor and outdoor space and be open to all ages–say, for instance, if families want somewhere to go after a high school football game.
“We are currently under construction with an open beam building and gathering place that will offer multiple food trucks of different types of cuisine, craft beers, an expansive indoor and outdoor space to dine, hangout, listen to live music, watch sports on big screen TVs, and experience local arts and crafts,” a description on the company’s website said.
The owners were roommates at the University of South Alabama and partnered with a third person to bring a new partner on board to establish a new tap house in the Florida Panhandle.
“One of our founders married a local Chipley girl and, after making our home in the Pacific Northwest and three decades of return visits to the area, we had a local inspiration that laid the groundwork and motivation for starting this project,” a message from the owners on the company website said. “Our team has been developing community driven spaces and real estate projects for 30 years and love creating an atmosphere that brings people together celebrating the best local traditions.”
The owners are also hoping to host local festivals in conjunction with the city and aiming to hire local people.
Chipley Station is expected to be able to hold a couple of hundred people.
For more information or to inquire about food truck vendor opportunities, visit the Chipley Station website at chipleystation.com.
KINSLEY COOK 
GARRETT VALCOURT