UConn's Storrs Center Barnes & Noble Making Way For Academic-Business Brew Pub Partnership

STORRS, CT — The Barnes & Noble College store in Storrs Center is fading back into the main campus store at the University of Connecticut to make way for an academic and business partnership to expose students to real world brew pub experience.

The collaboration between UConn and Manchester-based Urban Lodge Brewing Co, was recently announced.

In a conversation with Patch Tuesday, UConn Director of Brand Partnerships Kyle Muncy was quick to say the leased space at 1 Royce Circle "will not be a college bar." Rather, it will be a model for students to learn the restaurant industry and experience the art of brewing over several fields of study.

The a vast waiting list to get in, Munch said.

Muncy said UConn is in the midst of renewing its contract with Barnes & Noble College and the bookstore will be solely operated on campus. Urban Lodge will then turn the space into a different version of itself, he said.

Muncy said the brew pub will likely have hours until 9:30 or 10 p.m., except for certain special events like game watch nights with UConn teams starting late.

Urban Lodge had had an ambitious expansion slate with an opening in Hartford and planned opening at Bradley International Airport.