Renovations have taken a little longer than originally predicted, but Sackville’s Bagtown Brewery has announced it will reopen on May 6 in an expanded space at its Main Street location.

Owner Anthony Maddelena is calling May 6 a "soft" reopening, as the full concept of the new space won’t be in place. A mystery partner is in line to take over the kitchen and start offering food, but Maddelena is holding out on details except to say, “burgers and tacos” might be on offer.

For the soft reopening, Maddelena says he will have “a good handful of Bagtown beers back on tap,” along with some guest taps. Bagtown’s "To Go" fridge will also be stocked with Bagtown products and “lots of new things from around the province.”

It will take some time to get fully stocked on beers as Maddelena turns his attention from construction and renovations back to brewing in May. He says there will be some new drinks rolling out, including beers, ciders, and some new non-alcoholic beverages.

The Bagtown patio should be upacked and ready for seating on May 6, says Maddelena.

“Will they have a nice crisp, fresh coat of paint on them yet? Probably not,” he laughs. “That’ll be maybe a week or two later.”

Maddelena says his staff will consist of two interns from Mount Allison as well as two former interns. He’s hoping to host a grand opening event near the end of May once the operation is up to full gear.

“Bagtown’s really never done a grand opening ever,” says Maddalena, “so that’s something I’m looking forward to doing.”

In the meantime, Maddalena is excited for people to see the newly renovated space.

“We’ve been putting a lot of hard work into it,” he says. “It’s coming together really nicely.”

He says he’s looking forward to hosting events that are less weather dependent.

“We have a nice indoor space now,” he says, which can host Bagtown’s popular trivia nights, and “maybe a little bit of live music, things like that.”

Here's Anthony Maddelena in conversation on CHMA's Tantramar Report: