It’s been six years in the making, but the Second Wind Taproom + Kitchen at 11 Main St. downtown has finally taken down the paper covering its windows and opened to the public, apparently on a – for now – limited schedule.
After years of stops and starts – including many more of the former – Second Wind opened in preview mode the day before Thanksgiving, without the kitchen. It had been teased for six years – a handwritten “Future 2nd location” sign was long affixed to a window.
The project was hampered by many obstacles since being launched in 2019, including Covid and permitting issues. Kenny Semcken, one of Second Wind’s three owners, was long hesitant to offer any estimates as to when the taproom might open. In the meantime, it’s kept operating out of a small space tucked into a driveway on Howland Street.
While Second Wind has been granted its pouring and occupancy permits, there is more work to be done. It’s still awaiting the permits to open the kitchen, which will feature the cuisine of chef Stephen Coe. He’s locally famous for his Lobsta Love food trucks and nationally known for his win against celebrity chef Bobby Flay on the Food Network’s “Chopped: Beat Bobby Flay.”
Second Wind anticipates eventually opening a brewing operation at the Main Street location. But for now, all its beers will be brewed at on Howland Street. The tiny taproom there is expected to keep pouring beers.
Semcken this week said he didn’t have time to talk about the Main Street opening.
“We’re extremely busy trying to get through inspections, hiring, and other critical path items that will dictate when we officially open and can schedule grand opening activities and [a] ribbon cutting,’’ he said in an email.
But he did make a prediction: “It’s going to be awesome.’’
On Thursday, Second Wind posted this message on its Facebook page: “We’ve been overwhelmed by support from our community. So many people who have cheered us on along what seemed an impossible journey. We’re almost there. We’re one inspection and a lot of hiring away from being able to unleash the full potential of this space…We’re going to keep bar service rolling on Main Street through the different phases of restaurant transition.”
Plymouth has reached critical mass when it comes to local beer. There are six brewers with taprooms in town. In addition to Second Wind, they include IndieFerm, Llama Nama, Mayflower, Vitamin Sea, and Untold. In June, Sour Not Sorry closed its basement taproom on Court Street. While no new location has been announced, Sour Not Sorry beers may from time to time still be found in the taps of local restaurants and pubs, according to its owners.
Paul Boyd, a Plymouth resident, is a retired professor and faculty director of the MBA program at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. His research has focused on growth and success in the craft beer industry.