Iron Hill Brewery is making a significant comeback, with plans to reopen its Center City location in Market East next month. This revival follows the regional chain's abrupt closure and bankruptcy filing that occurred last fall.

The Revival of a Regional Favorite

The Market Street brewpub will be the first of five slated locations to resume operations. The other locations set to follow include those in Huntingdon Valley, Wilmington, Hershey, and Lancaster.

The original regional chain, which was founded in Newark, Delaware, had accumulated over $20 million in debt prior to its closure. Bankruptcy documents indicated the company possessed approximately $125,000 in liquid assets at the time of filing.

New Leadership Steering the Brand

A new ownership team is spearheading the relaunch of Iron Hill. This group notably includes one of the brewery's original founders, Mark Edelson.

The team behind this new era also features Alexis Lundeen (director of operations), Walter Weddington III (chef), Matt Gundrum (regional brewer), and Eric Maney (general manager). The company has officially reincorporated under the name Rightlane, LLC.

Founders Edelson and Kevin Finn, in partnership with restaurateur Kevin Davies, originally poured their first beer near the University of Delaware. Importantly, the group involved in the revival stated they did not bear personal liability for the company’s previous bankruptcy.

Restoring the Guest Experience

Mark Edelson shared a statement emphasizing the core values of the brand. "Iron Hill was built on a simple promise: scratch-made food, craft beer, and elevated service in a casual, welcoming atmosphere," Edelson stated.

He added, "The team and I are honored to bring that promise back to many of the communities that made Iron Hill home."

What Guests Can Expect

A representative for the newly formed company promised "new surprises" while maintaining the successful elements of the past. The primary goal is to restore the guest experience that originally drove Iron Hill's success.

Guests can anticipate a familiar look and feel for the restaurants. This includes the return of popular menu items and signature drinks, such as their famous cheesesteak egg rolls.

Furthermore, the return of beer brewed on-site at every location is confirmed. The venues will also retain ample space dedicated to outdoor dining.

While several key locations are being revived, other former Iron Hill sites remain vacant with no immediate plans announced for their future use.