Richmond-based Capital Ale House, which operates a popular restaurant and taphouse at 917 Caroline St. in downtown Fredericksburg, is opening a downtown Harrisonburg location. Capital Ale’s Harrisonburg eatery will be at 41-A Court Square in what’s now Cally’s Restaurant and Brewing Co. Capital Ale will take possession of the space July 12 and anticipates opening in October.

Capital Ale President Matt Simmons said the success of the Fredericksburg location affected the decision to expand the business, which also has three Richmond-area restaurants and bars. He said Capital Ale didn’t ask for or receive any incentives to go to Harrisonburg. Capital Ale, which opened in Fredericksburg in November 2008, got an incentives deal worth up to $75,000 from Fredericksburg City Council over 10 years as well as a $25,000 JumpStart grant from the Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority for facade improvements.

Capital Ale plans another Oktoberfest celebration this year in Fredericksburg, Simmons said. The event will be held Sept. 17 and will include the same downtown blocks as last year’s Oktoberfest. Simmons said there will be more food vendors at this year’s third-annual event. 

Harrisonburg is part of the Virginia Main Street Program, which Fredericksburg is thinking of joining. Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance Executive Director Eddie Bumbaugh spoke to a crowd in Fredericksburg this spring about the program, and about how to create a thriving downtown. Click here for an article on his thoughts on that topic.