Barn Owl Brewing more than doubles capacity with new patio, bathroom additions

As the days get longer and warmer, Barn Owl Brewing is ready to welcome in more friends this spring and beyond.

The popular brewery in the Mission has made a pair of moves to more than double its capacity ahead of what should be another busy summer in Kelowna.

First and foremost, Barn Owl is in the process of adding a new expanded wrap-around patio with a beautiful farm-style fence that fits the building’s aesthetic perfectly.

According to co-owner Gary Brucker, it was one of the main perks of their recent acquisition of It’s A Bakery, which they have since rebranded to Milk Shed Coffeehouse.

“When It's A Bakery wanted to sell, one of the most attractive features for us buying the bakery was to get an expanded patio space,” Brucker told KelownaNow on Friday.

“We were pretty limited at Barn Owl with only 27 seats outside and limited space obviously, so it became a way to not only get a coffee house but to get an expanded patio.”

The new patio, which will have seating on the concrete and a grassy area for blankets or lawn chairs, will expand that outdoor capacity by 45, from 27 to 72.

Brucker noted that the patio is pet friendly, although they are in discussions to keep a section pet free, including the grass for obvious reasons, to ensure the space is for everyone.

The fence will be completed early next week and the brewery will then need final approval from the Province, which is only expected to take a few days.

While the patio will surely excite loyal Barn Owl patrons more, Brucker and company have made a less notable move indoors that will also have a significant impact.

A pair of bathrooms have been added upstairs in the loft, which allows the brewery to increase its capacity inside as well.

In total, these two moves have expanded Barn Owl’s capacity both indoors and outdoors by 92 seats, from 80 to 172.