USA, WV: Boo’s Brewing Co. and Firehouse Grill preparing to open in Point Pleasant this month

The smell of smoke, which once clung to the bunker gear of firefighters who spent many days and nights inside the old River Road building, has long since dissipated, PhillyBurbs reported on March 5.

But a similar scent could soon return, as Boo’s Brewing Co. and Firehouse Grill prepares to open this month inside the former Point Pleasant firehouse, where smoked meats and craft beer may soon be served up daily.

Brewmaster Karen Giordano partnered with local builder and designer Glen Stephan to bring their vision of a brewery and restaurant to life inside the landmark property, which they purchased from the Graham and Michele Kinsman, owners of Kinsman Garden Co.

“I started homebrewing, people liked it and then I met up with Glen, he’s a builder. And fate sort of led to the firehouse,” Giordano said.

Together, the two have worked the past several months to transform the property into an inviting and relaxing space for the community to enjoy brews and barbecue — while embracing the building’s firefighting history by incorporating memorabilia and firehouse-inspired elements throughout its design.

With seating for 40 across four different spaces throughout the first floor, the brewery and restaurant provides plenty of room to gather over a pint and a meal. A large event space is available upstairs for community gatherings.

The menu is to be executed by Chef Michael Butera, the former owner of Gobblers, a popular Point Pleasant restaurant and club for more than 50 years before it was lost in 2004 to a devastating flood.

To complement the food, Giordano looks forward to sharing a rotating selection of lagers, IPAs, porters, stouts, ales and seasonal beers thanks to recipes she’s perfected over the past five years.

“The firehouse was always a mainstay in this town, a place for the people in Point Pleasant to get together,” Stephan said.

Added Giordano: “We want this to be for the locals, by the locals, because we’re locals. We want this to be a place for them.”

Giordano and Stephan said they hope to open by March 15 in time for the Nockamixon water release weekend, a popular event that sends millions of gallons of water rushing down the Tohickon Creek to create whitewater conditions.

Once up and running, Boo’s Brewing Co. and Firehouse Grill is to be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.