By Mari Hall – Missoula Current
Chris Goble started his journey with Hoagieville when he was 12 years old, washing the parking lot and pulling weeds at the drive-in on South Higgins Street.
Now, after owning the franchised restaurant since 2003, Goble’s dream of building a taphouse is coming true, and the building was demolished on Wednesday.
“This corner has always brought people together, and that’s what we’re continuing to do is bring people together,” Goble said. “It’s going to be a bigger, better, nicer building. That building has served its purpose for 65 years.”
The 3,000- to 4,000-square-foot building, which will be called Brewed, will feature an open dining area; a kitchen that will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner; and a selection of up to 30 beers on tap and a variety of coffees. A patio will give guests an outdoor dining option, with views of Pattee Canyon and South Campus Stadium, as well as Mount Sentinel.
Goble said he’s hoping the building will be finished in November.
“We got our building permit Tuesday, so we’re getting after the foundation this week,” Goble said. “The goal would be sometime in November, but if it doesn’t happen, you just don’t know what you’re going to run into down the road.”
The new business will employ about 20 staff members, and Goble is optimistic that more students will look to Brewed for jobs. At Hoagieville, he was able to see many students start their first job as teenagers and work through college.
“A lot of employees at Hoagieville started off in high school, went on to college, got their degree and then moved on,” Goble said. “So I’ve seen a lot of employees come through. It’s pretty fun to watch.”
Brewed will be managed by Goble, along with Amy Galipeau and Emmon Snyder. The other Hoagieville locations on North Reserve and in Southgate Mall, owned by Nick Alonzo and Bob Powell, will still be available to satisfy anyone’s cheese fry cravings.
“It’s been a part of my life since I was 12,” Goble said. “It’s sad to see it go, but I’m so excited about the new place. A lot of memories came gushing out when it got torn down, but I could also see the excitement of picturing the new building, the views and neighborhood.”
