From Garage to Glass: Brewery Blends Craft Beer, Community, and Growth

Pee Pa’s Garage Craft Brewery of Pinellas County

What started as a collision repair facility in Pinellas Park has been transformed into a family-owned craft brewery and axe throwing venue—offering a one-of-a-kind experience for locals and visitors alike. Pee Pa’s Garage Craft Brewery, owned by James “Jim” Brown, is now a thriving destination where guests can enjoy fresh craft beer, host private events, and try their hand at axe throwing in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

The inspiration for the business came from a passion for craft beer and a desire to create a fun, social gathering space. “I had been in the collision industry for approximately 40 years and just was a patron of craft brewing. The atmosphere that it creates – it just turned out to be a love of mine and my wife,” Brown said. “My son and I craft brewed. It was a decision when trying to leave the collision industry yet not give up my property to create something that benefited not only me, the community, but my family,” Brown added.

To bring their vision to life, the owners turned to the Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development and business consultant Debra Schweikowsky. Together, they developed a strong business plan and financial projections that helped secure a personal loan through DCFU Financial.

“By dealing with Debra, she’s helped me secure the financing to grow my business, and a big part of that, after discussions with Deb, was buying the food trailer to add to my services here after using other outside services for a while,” Brown mentioned.

When Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton impacted their operations, Schweikowsky also guided them through the application process for a Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan.

“Throughout the storm, the hurricanes, she helped me in the guidance to secure my SBA loans and my Florida bridge loan. I couldn’t imagine doing it without having actually sat down and meet with her in her office and get the guidance to do it,” Brown expressed.

Today, the business continues to grow, expanding its customer base and booking regular private events. “It has grown by just the acquisition of being able to buy the food trailer and supply good food to my customers on a regular basis. That has definitely greatly added to not just our bottom line, but to the whole customer experience here,” Brown said.

Brown credits much of his success to his community and the fact that he is able to work with his family and pass along a legacy that he is proud of. Andrew, his son, is a graduate of the University of South Florida (USF) brewing arts program and the lead brewer while his wife helps with business operations and his daughter sells her unique artwork to customers.

“My biggest success so far, I would say, outside of, you know, growing and building this nice establishment here for people to come hang out is being able to work with my family. Being able to work with my son on a daily basis. My wife’s in there, my daughter,” Brown expressed with a smile.

The business owner also went on to explain how the business was honored to be able help it’s community after the 2024 hurricanes affected the Pinellas Park area. “Through that period of time, we were able to keep the doors open and actually have people coming, offering hot dogs and getting ’em where they get a place just to get away. Just get out and give ’em a cold beer. And then, it helped me in just growing the business afterwards,” Brown said.

To fellow entrepreneurs, Brown offers this advice: “Anytime you could talk to someone and they’ve had experiences in that area, you could take it in and digest it. It’s just someone to soundboard off. And there’s a lot of changes going [on] out there with the economy and trying to keep up on what’s there, you need resources like the SBDC.”

With a vision fueled by community and craft, Pee Pa’s Garage Craft Brewery is raising the bar—and the glass.