Opening date set for first restaurant at BridgeWay Station in Mauldin

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The first food and beverage business will open Friday, Dec. 22, at a highly anticipated new mixed-use development in Mauldin.

BridgeWay Brewing Co. will open at 4 p.m. at 610 Bridgeway Blvd. in BridgeWay Station, according to a news release.

Bridgeway Brewing Co. is a full-service restaurant and sports bar with indoor and outdoor seating, an on-site brewery, and duckpin bowling lanes.

The chef-curated menu features bar food such as burgers, wings, crab cakes, soft pretzels and egg rolls. The in-house brewery crafts a variety of signature beers, ranging from blondes and IPAs to seasonal brews, while the full bar offers an extensive bourbon list and craft cocktail menu. A sports bar with more than 6,000 square feet of space includes 15 TVs lining the walls, along with four duckpin bowling lanes that can be rented out for private parties and events.

Owner Michelle Dodge, a former commercial banking executive-turned entrepreneur, partnered with industry veteran Nate Tomforde to fulfill a lifelong dream of opening a brewery and creating a unique and welcoming space for friends, family and the community to gather, the release said.

As this is Dodge’s first business, she said it is “truly surreal” to see it all come to fruition with a knowledgeable business partner like Tomforde.

“This concept has been two years in the making but has been in mind for a very long time,” said Dodge. “I come from a family of small business owners and after working in corporate America for 28 years, I knew there was something more inside of me. My family was extremely supportive throughout the process.”

Dodge said she met Tomforde two years ago, and together, they discussed her vision for the sports bar and brewery.

“He’s been extremely instrumental in helping me hire the right people and training them,” she added. “I couldn’t have asked for a better partnership. He really listened to my dream and helped me bring it to fruition.”

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With family connections to the military and first responders, Dodge said she has a passion for their service and is a true patriot. In addition to raising money for local organizations that support veterans and first responders, Dodge put a large American flag at the front door to show her support. Veterans and first responders also will receive a 10% discount off their bill every time they go to the bar.

“This part of the Upstate needs another neighborhood bar and what we offer,” said Dodge. “We are very excited to be here at BridgeWay station and for others to open to make this more of a destination. It’s a truly wonderful community and accessible not only to those who live on the Golden Strip but for those coming from Greenville, too.”

Retail tenants currently open at BridgeWay Station include Le Chic Nails Lounge, The Junkyard, Plum: A Lifestyle Boutique, and The Worx at BridgeWay Station. In addition to the BridgeWay Brewing Co. opening this winter, City Market at BridgeWay Station is expected to open sometime in January. Additional tenants actively upfitting their individual spaces include El Guapo, Cocobowlz, Old Europe Desserts, Stella’s Restaurant Group, Rocco and The Plank by Dine Development Group, and Table 301. These retailers will be incorporated into the project alongside previously announced office and institutional users, including Dodge Bearings and Power Transmission; GREEN Charter Upstate High School; Jackson Marketing, Motorsports & Events; and Spectrum.

Lili + Koko Boutique + Bubbles, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Lucille’s, and Mercato are all slated to open in early spring.