JOHN DAY — Sensing a business opportunity, Grant County’s only brewpub has opened a temporary outdoor seating area to accommodate the massive influx of visitors coming into the area in late June and early July.

1188 Brewing Co. at 141 E. Main St. in John Day has set up tables and chairs in the vacant lot next door. The opening was created by the demolition of the Deline Building, which was determined to be unsalvageable following a fire in April 2023.

The pub has also strung up some awnings to provide shade and added a colorful mural on an exterior wall.

1188 owner Shannon Adair said the seating area will not serve solely as a beer garden. Instead, the venue will serve family-friendly beverages along with alcohol and food.

Customers who want to sit outside in The Sandlot and wish to buy food from the pub will have to enter 1188 to place their orders due to a lack of table service in the outdoor venue.

Both children and outside food are welcome at the all-ages outdoor establishment. Any alcoholic beverages consumed in The Sandlot have to be purchased from 1188, however.

Food will also be delivered to The Sandlot by the Taco Co.  Adair said the nearby food cart began sending runners to the space on Thursday, June 27.

Adair said the motivation for the outdoor seating area was to cater to the needs of visitors coming to John Day for events such as the Little League All-Star Softball and Baseball Tournament and the Moto Guzzi motorcycle rally being hosted in Grant County.

For now, at least, The Sandlot at 1188 is temporary, with plans to keep it running until July 3.

Adair said there are a few reasons for that.

For one, Country Preferred Realtors, on the opposite side of the space from 1188, needs to demolish and replace its exterior wall, which was damaged in the same fire that destroyed the Deline Building.

In addition, 1188 would have to periodically renew its OLCC license in order to continue to serve alcohol in the outdoor area long term.

On the other hand, if the space remains available, Adair said there may be other events at The Sandlot later this summer.

In the meantime, The Sandlot will be open from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. daily.