// F R E DE RI C K C O U N T Y TOW NS
New business
New businesses have also been coming to town in recent years. In 2016,
Brunswick gained a yoga studio, an eclectic boutique and a restaurant.
In 2016, Rosemont resident David Blackmon transformed Brunswick’s
retired firehouse into a brewery. The brewery—which is the only
craft beer venue in a 15-mile radius—has been extremely popular
and has given visitors a whole new reason to discover Brunswick,
Householder said
“Smoketown has helped the city grow by being a destination place
for people from inside and outside the city,” she said. “It brings
people into the city and into downtown that might otherwise not
have come to see all Brunswick has to offer. It adds another sense
of vibrancy.”
“There’s a transitioning happening here,” he said. “I think Brunswick
is going to grow. The idea is to get people excited again, I think
that’s the key.”
Born and raised in New Mexico, Morales now lives in Knoxville and
offers family recipes rooted in Southwestern cuisine. Reminiscent
of Chipotle, Morales’ restaurant is intentionally set up to have
a more laid back atmosphere than a formal sit-down restaurant.
Morales has also come up with his own solution to a problem
that has bugged Brunswick businesses for years—how to reel in
commuters, who leave early, return late and typically have no time
to stay downtown.
In the coming months Blackmon is starting work on transforming
the historic 6,000 square foot ballroom on the second floor of the
building into an event space and entertainment venue. In a few months, Benancio’s is opening a pick-up window, where
commuters can grab a quick breakfast burrito on their way to the
train. Commuters will be able to place pickup orders the night
before, so no time will be wasted in the morning, Morales explained.
“We’ll have bands, events, weddings,” Blackmon says. “We are
shooting for a summer opening.” Morales, who serves a number of MARC train commuters, says
they are already looking forward to the idea.
Morales who also opened Benancio’s last year, is another business
owner who believes in Brunswick’s potential for growth and change.
“They are so excited, they are offering to plan my grand opening,”
he said.