North Country Brewing has run its brewpub on Main Street, Slippery Rock, for over 20 years. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle.

North Country Brewing’s beloved brewpub is expanding its presence on Main Street with an enhanced open-air experience and the ability to host more live music and events.

Bob McCafferty, owner of the Slippery Rock institution, said the expansion has been in the works for years.

“It’s been a crazy past couple years. I wanted to do it back in 2010 and it’s been on my list for too long,” McCafferty said. “Back then, it was a different time in the borough and things didn’t work out. It’s great to be able to work with people in the community in such a positive way and get this project done.”

North Country Brewing has been serving Slippery Rock residents and visitors since it was opened in 2005 by McCafferty and his wife, Jodi, who also now own the Harmony Inn in Harmony. In addition to the brewpub, North Country also has a taproom on Arrowhead Drive.

To expand the brewpub, North Country announced this week it had purchased multiple lots next door and will be tearing down three vacant houses.

McCafferty said the expansion will include increasing stage area for events and performers, an outdoor bar and new patio space. He said a new 30’ by 30’ wall that can be kept open or closed will allow the brewpub to be flexible with its space depending on the season, while maintaining an open-air feel.

“We want to bring that campfire feel outside and expand our space. It will be nice to have a consistent space to have bands and musicians and be warm and not in the chill air an open-air patio can have,” McCafferty said.

North Country aims to have the renovated space completed by next summer.

“North Country is an awesome place. We’re lucky to be right there on Main Street,” McCafferty said. “Those houses were in bad shape for a while. Everything was kind of a juggle, but we’re really looking forward to keeping this organic feel.”