Garrison Taproom opens in iconic Oxford building

The Oxford has a new tenant. Garrison Brewing's new taproom opened in the former hair salon section of the building today.

The location, on the corner of Quinpool Road and Oxford Street, marks months of work coming to fruition.

“I'm so satisfied with the finished product, and it's all I thought and hoped it would be,” said Brian Titus, President of Garrison Brewing Company. “I can see this becoming a neighbourhood institution quickly. There are so many bits of history from the area and Quinpool inside.”

The building features a brewery, seating area, retail store, and area on the upper level for event booking. The business keeps the nostalgic feel of the Oxford, a storied cinema complex for years.

Titus bought the building from the developer Nanco Group after they took over from Cineplex in 2017.

“We went in, and the building has such great bones. It was a pleasure to expose that. It's an 83-year-old building, and it needed and deserved some love. There is history and memories from so many generations there,” he said.

“There are only so many of these buildings still left, and if we lose them, we lose more than just the bricks that come down.”

Titus' taproom, along with East Peak Climbing Gym, will both be tenants of the huge space.

“We are two anchor tenants, and now the building has been saved. It's not going anywhere,” he said.

They exposed brick walls, did radiators, opened up the ceiling, and did numerous other renovations to the property.

“Initially there was demolition, but the structure of this historic destination was saved. The old plaster and ceilings were knocked out. Once the dust settled, I took over and we did a second run,” said Titus.

“There was plaster and layers of old wallpaper over the brick we exposed, and the ceilings has been lowered to nine feet. We exposed to 13.5 feet. The material was old, dusty, and dated. We had some issues, but it's so nice and open now.”

Titus passed by the Oxford twice a day, every day, and constantly surveyed the building and the street.

“This is a historic business district. If you rest on your laurels, that's one thing. But if you don't evolve and grow, that's another thing altogether. I'm a big fan of change, vibrancy and celebrating the good about the vintage and old,” he said.

“It'd be a shame if the street became all steel and glass and lost its charm. But it'd also be a shame if nothing changed. We are on the edge of major investment and redevelopment here. But it's important to renovate places like this and see it come to life.”

They've really kept the history of the Oxford space. They have the original project on display, as well as the original speakers and safe. The have hung the original projection room door as well.

“Though we couldn't get the popcorn machine, we bought another one, and we will do what we call 'Popcorn With A Purpose.' You can serve yourself and pay by donation. Whatever is gathered monthly goes to different charities in the area,” he said.

With 16 beers on tap, including local Garrison Beer, a nitro tap and a collaboration cider with Bullwark, there will be plenty for everyone to choose from.

The area will also be pet-friendly and kid-friendly, allowing a true community feel. Though it won't have a restaurant, there's a community-minded method to that.

“We aren't a bar and lounge, or a live entertainment venue. We're a functioning brewery and we want to collaborate with businesses around us,” he said.

“Quinpool didn't need another restaurant. We have so many wonderful options here, and our goal is to allow people to come in and do pop-ups. Area businesses can come in, sell their food and kep the revenue. It's marketing for them and we can offer food that way.”

The Oxford Taproom’s regular hours for both the taproom and retail store are Sunday to Thursday from 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. – 12 a.m.