It's Official: Clarkville Replacing Best House in West Philly

The owners of Local 44 (and Memphis Taproom and Strangelove's and, previously, Resurrection Ale House), have confirmed that they've signed a lease and are moving ahead with a new project called Clarkville. The latest from Leigh Maida, Brendan Hartranft, and Brendan Kelly is located at 4301 Baltimore Ave., the former home of Best House Pizza.

The intent has been known for a while — Clarkville has tweeted about it, and West Philly Local reported last month on their presentation to the Spruce Hill Community Association. They told neighbors they will close by midnight, and there are plans to convert some existing apartments on the second floor into a second level for the restaurant. The plans still have to be approved by the zoning board.

The plan they presented was for something "a little less beer-forward and a little more food-forward" than nearby Local 44, though of course there will be good craft beer and growler fills. Draft beer "will max out at a dozen taps," says Maida, and there will also be wine on tap. The menu will skew higher-end, but will make use of the pizza oven and dough mixer that came with the space to provide "pizza-like offerings," as Maida puts it.

While the building owner has a few months' work planned to rehab and repair the space before the restaurant and bar can be fitted out, Maida, Hartranft, and Kelly are hoping to open "before late spring 2015" — preferably before Philly Beer Week rolls back around.

Clarkville, 4301 Baltimore Avenue, opening spring 2015.