Just Another Bar in a college town? Nope! Landmark Americana in Glassboro is a whole lot more than that to their regular crowd. On a given day, you will find people from all walks of life coming together to see their favorite bartender, watch a drag show,play trivia,or root for their favorite football team,all while enjoying a nice cold beer.
Heady Times asked General Manager Bryan Kress to tell us what sets Landmark apart.
Heady Times (HT): How did Landmark get started?
Bryan Kress (BK): In 2003,the historic Franklin House reopened as Landmark Americana Tap & Grill, with the nightclub and liquor store opening first, followed by the restaurant and sports bar. Aside from the original Glassboro location, located adjacent to the campus of Rowan University, Landmark also has three locations in nearby Pennsylvania, just outside of WestChester, Drexel, andSt. Joseph’s Universities. We also recently opened our fifth location in Ewing near the TCNJ campus.
HT: Your staff is critical to your success. Tell us more about them.
BK: The average age of Landmark staff is 22 years old. At peak season there are 130 employees, many are enrolled at nearby Rowan University. It’s interesting to meet young people starting their journey, watching them succeed, and seeing how proud they are upon graduation. I especially enjoy when I get job reference calls and am able to help my former or current staff advance in their professional life. It is more than just a waitressing, bartending, or barback job. You learn excellent communication skills and how to think on your feet. All ofthese skills help them later when they move on and grow as an individual.
HT: Landmark’s draught sales continue to grow year over year. How do you make that happen?
BK: Three years ago,we upgraded the draught system and doubled our lines from 20 to 40. It gave us the ability to feature a larger variety of craft beer and allowed us to focus on supporting local breweries. We have gained many customers by adding this additional tap system, and weare now able to offer the newest craft beers on tap. Customers love our many options and enjoy ordering flights. It’s an excellent opportunity to try beers and styles that they have never had before.
HT: Howdo you choose your beer lineup?
BK:Our selection is a mix of variety, customer suggestions, and quality. Once a new beer is brought in, I ask my beer customers what they enjoy most and then track how fast it goes. Our larger tap system gives us an advantage, not only for the college crowd, but our craft patrons as well. We have the opportunity to bring in more products and try out new beers,without sacrificing the core brands.
HT: The great beer specials and entertainment keep the college crowd, and beer lovers alike coming back for more. Tell us about them.
BK: Our customers keep coming back for nightly entertainment and food specials, along with beer specials. The college crowd is critical to us, so we want to make sure they come out and have a good time, without spending a lot of money. Some favorites are Trivia Tuesday’s featuring $3 23oz. BlueMoons, Sunday Football with $2 Coors Light and MillerLite, and Thursday Night College Nights with $3 draughts. Most bars have food and beer specials, but we want people to say, “let’s gotoLandmark,” so we make sure there is always something exciting happening.
HT: What else makes Landmark unique?
BK:Attached to the bar and restaurant is the Spot nightclub, which is open to the public every Thursday and Saturday. It also serves as a private party room for events. The attached liquor store, Landmark Liquors, makes the Glassboro location the largest. Landmark converted its second dining room into a beautiful outdoor patio bar with sliding glass doors. This gives the location three total bars and gives customers a great place to enjoy a beer on a beautiful day.
HT: Tell us about the new location in Ewing.
BK: The newest Landmark location recently opened on The College of New Jersey’s campus. The Glassboro location has been an enormous success, so we know what the college kids are looking for. College students want to have a home bar. In college,you are at your home away from home. As a business, Landmark wants to give them that comfort.