New Palmer Alehouse owners have no plans to change the restaurant's identity

PALMER — The Palmer Alehouse recently changed hands, the first change of ownership since it opened in 2014.

Cory Hughes and his wife Sarah acquired one of downtown Palmer’s most iconic destinations with the intent of retaining the same energy that made it what it is today, while leaving room for new ideas moving forward.

“I’m really excited to be here. I’m really excited to be a part of something that really exemplifies what Palmer is all about,” Hughes said.

The beer and pizza pub was originally named Palmer City Alehouse by the original owner Matt Tomter, who ultimately sold the business to Steve Dike and Linda Hotchkiss in July of 2018.

Hughes said they heard from a mutual friend that Dike might be interested in selling the place, so they reached out to him. He said they acquired the property Oct. 5, and Dike and his partner Linda Hotchkiss helping with transition are currently helping them with the transition.

Hughes said that he was born and raised in Palmer, graduating from Palmer High School in the 1990s. He said that he’s always loved the Alehouse, relishing the fact that it ventured beyond food and drinks with its summer concert series that showcased Valley talent in addition to visiting acts from across the state.

“This is just our favorite place to come… The summer concerts, we love. That’s probably the big thing right? Everything’s kinda kid friendly, family focused,” Hughes said.

The big stage and accompanying outdoor sitting area helped propel the Alehouse’s popularity over the years, becoming an instant summer sensation with a steady stream of concerts playing throughout the season.

“It’s kind of a staple for Palmer,” Hughes said.

Hughes acknowledged the importance of the music component, saying it was always their intent to keep that going. They’re even planning to add more music to the Alehouse experience. He said they’re starting a new winter concert series called Palmer Alehouse Unplugged.

The unplugged series will be an acoustic venue featuring local artists performing “unplugged” songs upstairs. Hughes said they repainted and rearranged the area to accommodate the new series. He said it will run every Thursday with a maximum capacity of 50 people.

The Unplugged series will run through winter and wrap up in the spring, flowing into the resurgence of the summer concerts. Hughes said that all local bands are invited to participate in either venue. He said it all goes back to keeping the same spirit of music and local talent going.

“They have a good thing going,” Hughes said. “My goal for the customers and staff is to not really notice the transition... One step at a time.”

Hughes said this is all new territory for him, admitting that he’d never worked in a restaurant before, let alone run one.

“It’s actually been a lot of fun. I’ve never done anything like this before,” Hughes said.

Hughes said that he dove into all the inner workings of the restaurant, trying to learn all the aspects from cooking and cleaning to serving at the tables or bar. He said it’s been a warm welcome and he feels right at home.

“The staff is amazing, incredibly welcoming to the new guy, which is me,” Hughes said.

Hughes said the menu will be more or less the same, with some new items like deserts added in over time.

“I think the menu is always evolving, but we’re a pizza and burger place. That’s not gonna change. Burgers, pizza and beer, that’s what we do,” Hughes said.

According to Hughes, the Alehouse offers 44 different beers on tap, and a vast majority of the choices are Alaskan made.

“That relationship with the local breweries is really important,” Hughes said.

There’s a current staff of about 56 employees. Pizza cook Thad Phillips busily prepped pizza in the Kitchen Monday afternoon, tossing herbs, cheese and other toppings on a pizza before stuffing it into the oven. He said that he’s been there on and off for seven-and-a-half years and knows how to do anything that needs to get done in the kitchen.

“We’re always moving forward,” Phillips said.

Phillips has cooked in kitchens across the Valley. He said the Alehouse is his favorite place to be.

“We all pretty much help each other,” Phillips said. “The people you come in contact with... It’s just an atmosphere you can’t get anywhere else.”

I Like Robots is performing at the Alehouse Saturday for a 80’s Neon Halloween Part starting at 6 p.m.

For more information, call 907-746-2537.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com