Erie hospitality team John Melody and Russell Stachewicz will bring a new pub and restaurant concept to the historic West 12th Street adaptive reuse project
After months of speculation and growing public interest, the Erie County Redevelopment Authority (ECRDA) today announced that The Foundry Pub & Restaurant will become the signature restaurant and bar at Ironworks Square, the landmark adaptive reuse project transforming the former Erie Malleable Iron complex along Erie’s West 12th Street corridor.
Owned and operated by hospitality leaders John Melody and Russ Stachewicz, The Foundry will occupy approximately 5,300 square feet in the northwest corner of Ironworks Square and will include an outdoor patio. The concept was selected following a competitive review process in which ECRDA invited presentations from regional restaurants and breweries. ECRDA chose Melody and Stachewicz for their proven track record, strong local reputation, and compelling vision for a restaurant that compliments the building’s industrial heritage while helping establish Ironworks Square as a dynamic mixed-use destination.
“Ironworks Square was built around the idea that Erie’s industrial past can become part of its next chapter,” said Tina Mengine, CEO of the Erie County Redevelopment Authority. “John and Russ understand how to create places where people want to gather. Their vision for The Foundry brings the right mix of hospitality, energy, and local pride to this historic space.”
“The Foundry gives us the opportunity to create something that feels authentic to Erie — rooted in the history of the building, but designed for the way people gather today,” said John Melody. “We were drawn to Ironworks Square because it is more than a development project; it is a statement about Erie’s momentum and the future of the 12th Street corridor.”
“We see The Foundry as a welcoming neighborhood pub, a destination for visitors, and a natural extension of the Ironworks Square experience,” said Russ Stachewicz. “Our goal is to honor the building’s character while delivering the food, beverage, and hospitality standards our guests have come to expect.”The Foundry will build on the success of the John Russell family of restaurants, which began with the once-popular Molly Brannigans in downtown Erie and has grown into six successful hospitality destinations across Erie County: Bay House and Pier 6 on the Bayfront, Public House in Millcreek, Harbor House in Harborcreek, Tap House in downtown Erie, and John Russell Brewing Company in Millcreek. The group also brews a line of popular beers served across its establishments and available in retail locations.
