Closed Doylestown restaurant makes comeback with Montco brewery

A Doylestown restaurant that closed in March has quickly bounced back after joining forces with a local brewery.

Harper & Penny’s, a cozy bar and restaurant which had served up its Southern fusion menu inside the Main Street Marketplace until its lease ended, reopened in Lansdale this month thanks to a partnership with Round Guys Brewing Company.

The collaboration kicked off earlier this month under its new name, Round Guys Brewing Company Cocktail Bar & Brewery featuring Harper & Penny’s.

For both businesses, it was an act of good timing and a shared vision.

In January, the brewery lost its kitchen partner, which had operated the taproom and restaurant for 10 months under the name Round House. Since its closing, the taproom reopened as Round Guys Brewing, offering a simple and limited food menu to pair with its craft beers.

But when Harper & Penny’s found themselves without a space, the partnership seemed like a good fit for everyone, said Scott Rudich, who co-owns the brewery with Brian Derbyshire and Bill McGeeney.

“They needed a home, and we had an empty kitchen we were looking to fill, and it was the perfect opportunity,” Rudich said, adding that he’s grateful to bring Harper & Penny’s owner Chef Jamal Harper’s talents to Lansdale.

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For Harper, Round Guys’ efforts to inclusively engage with its diverse community — through events like drag queen brunches, hip hop nights, live punk shows and fundraisers — was a big part of what attracted him to the brewery and an energy he hopes to build on through his love of cooking.

“It has a huge neighborhood feel to it and is really community based,” Harper said.  “It’s all about the relationship. What I’m always trying to create when it comes to the food is a relationship with the people, so when they come in, it feels like home.”

Many of Harper & Penny’s favorites will be available, including the fried chicken wings, grilled Caesar salad and French onion fries. But the menu will also include some new additions, such as fish and chips, a Jamaican Jerk Shrimp Wrap and the brie and fig chicken sandwich.

Alongside its new partner, Round Guys will continue to serve up its own craft beers across 16 taps, along with a selection of cocktails and wines.

Both the food and drinks can be enjoyed inside the taproom or on its large outdoor patio.

Go: 324 W. Main St., Lansdale; 215-368-2640; roundguysbrewery.com

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Reporter Michele Haddon covers local news, small business, economic development, community revitalization, art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please considering supporting local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Harper & Penny's moved to Lansdale, partnering with Round Guys Brewing