Portland-based Laurelwood Public House and Brewery signed a lease March 25 for nearly 5,000 square feet at Battle Ground Village, marking its entry into Clark County.
The pub will open July 1 in the development's gothic building at 1401 S.E. Rasmussen Blvd., said Dennis Pavlina, owner of the Gold Medal Group and developer of Battle Ground Village.
The Management Group handled the lease transaction.
Pavlina targeted Laurelwood to fill the space about six months ago.
"They have a great reputation as a family-friendly environment," he said. "It's a good mix with our community. They actually have play areas set up within their restaurants and they have award-winning beers."
Laurelwood owners Mike De Kalb and Cathy Woo-De Kalb founded the company in 2001 and have five Portland locations.
"We felt that Battle Ground was an up-and-coming place," said Mike De Kalb, who grew up in the Hockinson area. "We felt the time was right to expand into Clark County. We've been getting a lot of calls about it over the years from residents of Clark County who are loyal customers."
The pub will create between 30 and 35 jobs, including full-time positions with medical benefits, said Mike De Kalb.
"Our business model has been to find a need and then move into it," he said. "We don't want to expand too quickly, but we feel Clark County has great potential."
Pavlina will build out Laurelwood's space, the total cost of which, with restaurant equipment, will cost nearly $500,000.
Battle Ground Village gained two other retail tenants this month.
BattleUnderGround teen apparel leased 1,182 square feet March 24 and will open in mid-May. Quilt fabric and vintage housewares shop Aunt Tam's leased 1,554 square feet on March 20 and will open June 1.
There are 25,000 square feet still available at Battle Ground Village, and Laurelwood will occupy more space than any other retail or service industry tenant at the development.
To date, its largest tenant is the Fort Vancouver Regional Library, which will open its 14,300-square-foot space May 30, Pavlina said.
