'The Beach' Is Back In Leesburg ... For Now

By Erica R Hendry

Leesburg residents will once again be able to kick back and relax with a brew in the sandy area outside MacDowell Brew Kitchen (MBK), thanks to a vote by the Leesburg Town Council that amends the town's ordinance to allow alcoholic beverages in the outdoor space, adjacent to Harrison Street between Royal and South streets.

The amendment, which passed 5-1-1, allows the beach to reopen, but the restaurant will still have to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the town that will lay out requirements for drinking and serving alcoholic beverages on the property, according to town documents.

"The beach is alive," MBK owner Nils Schnibbe told Patch on Friday. "We're working closely with the town. They want us to get back to normal as much as we do."

The MOU will likely involve the owners of MacDowell Brew Kitchen purchasing "the beach," which currently overlaps with public right of way, as well as working with town officials to change zoning for the area, reports the Loudoun Times.

The young brewpub, located at 202 Harrison St SE, is one of the growing number of Nano breweries in Northern Virginia, offering some 150 beers crafted by master brewers on premises or from other breweries in the area.

When the restaurant opened about a year and a half ago, it joined what's become known as Leesburg's "beer block," as dubbed by the owners on the business' website; along with Tuscarora Mill and Fireworks, it forms a "beermuda triangle" downtown.

Its outdoor space — complete with sand, tiki lights and occasional campfires — has become a popular spot for adults and families alike, along with some local bands who have set up outdoor performances.

But the pub ran into an issue earlier this summer, when town officials discovered part of the beach spilled over onto the public sidewalk, where alcoholic beverages were previously banned.

The beach was shut down temporarily as town officials worked to find a solution, the Washington Post reported.

In the time between the closing and the July 9 council meeting, more than 2,000 residents signed  an online petition to "save the beach".

"MacDowell's sparked an energy in downtown Leesburg that "the Town" has been unable to accomplish," one resident wrote on the petition. "2 Years of First Friday's (while a nice event) have not promoted the downtown area as well as 6 months of the Beach/Patio. I personally have spent more money in town, not only at the Brew Kitchen but nearby Tuskies and Fireworks, simply because the "beach" was there to enjoy."

At the July 9 public hearing, town officials echoed their support for the business and said they wanted to find a way to save the spot, too, the Loudoun Times reported.

 Dusty Smith contributed to this story.