NOTE: Look for more to come, including photos The Brewery Arcade The site on which The Brewery Arcade rests was designated as Lot #240 by Henry Massie in the original 1803 platting of Portsmouth. This site early supported several enterprises; among them, a general store operated by James Eade and a lumber and shingle business operated by James Lodwig. The Portsmouth Brewery came into being in 1842 but was not a highly successful business until it was acquired and operated by Julius Esselbom, a German-born brewer, in 1889. Under his direction the business was improved and enlarged. In 1891 an ice making plant was built to furnish the area with "clean and healthful ice." The only ice available prior to that time was that which was cut from rivers and ponds and stored for summer use. The floodwall behind the building now occupies the site of the old ice plant. Esselbom and his son Paul operated the brewery up until the time of prohibition. The building was purchased at a sheriff's sale in 1930, and when prohibition was repealed, the glass-lined vats were sold to a Cincinnati brewery. It was necessary to cut a large hold in the floor to remove them from the basement. The building subsequently housed an automobile dealership, an auto parts store and finally a beer distributorship until 1974. It stood empty until 1976 when it was purchased by its present owners for restoration and renovation into The Brewery Arcade, an indoor complex of small, unique, variety shops, housed in the charm of a century ago. Mault's Brew Pub has returned the Brewery to its historical beginnings by once again brewing its own ale. Mault's also features live entertainment. The arcade is open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 12 noon to 5 p.m. (Individual store hours may vary slightly). Economic Development | Info & Statistics | Events & Attractions Our County & Communities | News | Contacts | Home Free JavaScripts provided by The JavaScript Source © 1998-02 Scioto County Government. All rights reserved.