Harlem Brew South is preparing to establish a new taproom and coffeehouse at 310 E. Third Street in Winston-Salem, with an opening targeted for spring 2027. The concept will occupy the historic S.J. Nissen Wagon Works Building, near Patterson Avenue and the Long Branch Trail. The Go-To Winston-Salem recently highlighted the upcoming project, which will mark a new chapter for the brewery as it establishes its own standalone gathering space in the city.
The upcoming venue will feature a combination of craft beverages and specialty coffee. According to The Go-To Winston-Salem’s announcement, the menu will include the company’s signature beers, non-alcoholic craft beverages and two Winston-Salem exclusives: Depot Street Hazy IPA and Long Branch American IPA. An on-site nano brewery will produce small-batch beverages available exclusively at the location. The coffeehouse will offer specialty coffee and espresso, while the space will also accommodate live music, theater performances and spoken-word events.
Harlem Brew South has roots in Harlem Brewing Company, founded by Celeste Beatty in 2000. According to the company’s official website, the Southern extension was conceived in 2016, with small-batch production beginning in 2018 through a collaboration with Spaceway Brewing Company at Rocky Mount Mills. Beatty later formally incorporated Harlem Brew South with her brothers, Carl and Pernell Beatty, in 2020. The company describes its mission as creating opportunities through craft brewing, education and community engagement.
Beatty has also established a significant place in the American craft beer industry. Harlem Brewing Company’s official website identifies her as the first Black woman to own a brewery in the United States. Its existing beer portfolio includes Sugar Hill Golden Ale, Renaissance Wit and 125th Street IPA, with recipes inspired by Harlem’s history and cultural identity.
The Winston-Salem address adds another layer to the project. According to the City of Winston-Salem’s historic landmark documentation, the S.J. Nissen Building dates to 1895 and was originally constructed for Samuel Jacob Nissen’s wagon-making and repair business. Its location at the former Depot Street and Third Street intersection placed the operation near important railroad connections. The property later received local historic landmark designation in 2010.
The location’s cultural significance also influenced the brewery’s vision for Winston-Salem. The Go-To Winston-Salem notes the historical connections between the city’s former Black business and cultural district along Depot Street and Harlem, where artists and creatives helped shape a vibrant cultural identity. Beatty also has personal ties to Winston-Salem through her family, whose involvement in local civic and cultural advocacy dates to the 1960s.
Before the permanent venue opens, Harlem Brew South will host a free Harvest Festival on November 14, 2026, from noon to 5 p.m. at the building’s rear parking lot. Visit Winston-Salem lists local food, beverages, artisans, family activities and entertainment among the attractions. The event will offer an early introduction to the company’s plans for the property ahead of its anticipated spring 2027 opening.
