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Business & Tech

World of Beer Turns 5, Co-founder Reflects on Anniversary

World of Beer celebrates its fifth anniversary this Saturday, February 18 with a street party festival. Co-founder Scott Zepp reflects on the past give years of business in Westchase.

World of Beer is known as a Westchase staple, where friends gather to catch up and enjoy brews, from literally around the globe. What started as a small neighborhood watering hole has evolved into a nationwide, franchised corporation. 

World of Beer celebrates its fifth anniversary this Saturday, February 18 with a street party, complete with live music, outdoor beer stations, and a craft beer truck on-site providing free samples.

Patch caught up with Scott Zepp, who along with Matt LaFon, founded World of Beer. Zepp shared the backstory of World of Beer and his reflections on running this rapidly growing business for the past five years right here in Westchase.

Patch: How did World of Beer get started in Westchase? 

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Zepp: In 2004, Hurricane Ivan came through Pensacola and wiped out my home, after that I decided to start over in Tampa. Shortly after moving here, I helped to open Courtside Wine and Spirits, and it was then I started to learn about the craft beer industry and developed a passion for beer.  I later bought into the World of Beer retail store in Clearwater. When I decided to go forward with World of Beer, the bar, my partner Matt who lived in Westchase loved the area and thought it would be the perfect community to start our business.

Patch: Did you ever think WOB would be as widespread as it is today?

Zepp: No, not at all! We went into this five years ago with the intention of opening a cool little bar where people could come together, kick back and enjoy some great beer. We always focused on ways to get better and be the best at what we do. 

Patch: How many franchises are there now across the country?

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Zepp: Currently there 21 open World of Beer's in 5 states: Florida Arizona, South  Carolina, Ohio and Texas. And there are nine more locations coming soon.

Patch: Why have you chosen to keep World of Beer's headquarters in Westchase vs. moving to downtown Tampa, or even out of state? 

Zepp: I love this community. You have everything you need right in Westchase and there has never been a need to go outside of the community. Plus, I'm still pretty active in the day-to-day operations of the Westchase location, so I didn't want to have an office far from the bar. 

Patch: What do you feel that Westchase offers as a location for your company?

Zepp: World of Beer is centered around community and neighborhood. Westchase has served as the perfect example of what WOB is all about. 

Patch: Where do you see WOB, as a corporation, headed in the next five years?

Zepp: We would like to become the neighborhood bar in communities across the country, similiar to the way we have done in Westchase.

Patch: What is your favorite memory/memories from the last 5 years in business? 

Zepp: The people and friendships that WOB has fostered, some of my closest friends today I've met at WOB. We've had some good times... from Crawfish Boils to Golf Tournaments and WOBtoberfest.  It's really hard to pick just one.

The World of Beer anniversary party is a family-friendly event; there will be bounce houses, face painting and other kids' activiites. For more informaiton, visit WOB Westchase on Facebook.

Want to go:

Where: World of Beer Westchase, 9525 W. Linebaugh Avenue

When: Saturday, Feb. 18, 1pm-9pm

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