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O ne of Round Top's m o s t e x c i t i n g d e s t i n a t i o n s debuts this fall when Minden Square opens. Two years in the making, the new nexus at the intersection of South Washington and Austin streets in the center of town was dreamed up by Mark Massey, who also owns The Compound, Henkel Square, and Rummel Square. Massey has transformed Minden Square with three handsome 19th-century/early- 20th-century houses, moved then restored on site by custom contractor/ builder David Stone. Round Top Brewing is in the Victorian-era Peake House, neighbored by the Lollitop Sweetshop in a circa- 1900s structure; the third building, the Menn House, dates from the 1860s. Stay tuned for real estate updates at papercitymag.com. When Brooke and Paul Michie open Round Top Brewing this winter, Minden Square returns the town to its 100-plus-year heritage as a haven for brew masters and taverns serving up locally made beers, lagers, and ales; Paul Michie grew Austin's Alamo Drafthouse into a brew-and-food empire. An antique bar back holds pride of place — a pedigreed piece from Paul's great- grandfather's railroad saloon in Missouri. Of their decision to leave dual careers in Austin, Brooke says, "We've dreamed of doing something like this for over a decade but began putting the pieces together in 2016. We moved out to Round Top last year after being weekend warriors renovating an old farmhouse near Shelby." The beers on tap are named for the landscape, people, wildlife, and culture of the area. "First up," Brooke says, "we have Brown Top, a reference to not only Round Top, but to a type of grain used to create cover and feed early in the year for quail, duck, deer, and game. It has a malty, cool-season flavor to pair with game. And Snake Oil Stout, a simple and classic deeply malty brew, with notes of dark chocolate and coffee that soothes the soul, references area apothecaries and healers known for peddling their tinctures and medicines." The beer is paired with fresh breads and house-made spreads, such as Paul's famous pâtés, sausage, and kraut with fresh pretzels, topped flatbreads, panini, and salads and soups. "We love the idea of keeping it fresh and creative, so there will be A s the antiques shows kick into high gear, T h e C o m p o u n d continues to expand. S h o w p r o d u c e r / d i r e c t o r K a t h y Johnston gave us an advance peek at some of the most exciting new dealer arrivals. From Austin, Michael B. Montgomery stocks his collection of hand-honed artisan furniture. Beaumont-based Julie Bailey Burns is also a must-shop; a stint of living in Europe translates into the wares filling her Burns Antik Haus booth — Country French, garden furniture and objets, and architectural flourishes. At newly minted Fickle Barn, H.H. Walker and Company from North Carolina returns with treasures from the past; the dealer's calling cards include custom lamps that pair sculptural antique bases with designer shades. Just in: L. Harrison Fine Art, in from Kansas, offers 20th-century abstract and cubist works. roundtopcompound. com. Catherine D. Anspon daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal menus," Brooke says. "For winter, we're working on game-inspired dishes with local duck, venison, quail, and herbs." The wraparound porch and ample green space call for lawn games and darts — a nod to a classic biergarten. While Round Top Brewing won't be on tap until after the antiques show, you'll find the Michies at the neighboring Lollitop Sweetshop, which opens this month. Inspired by Paul's mom, Sherry Michie, and her many decades as a caterer, there will be candies, baked goods, coffee cakes, seasonally inspired muffins, bars, and cookies. Catherine D. Anspon F i n d o u r e x c l u s i v e i n t e r v i e w w i t h t h e M i c h i e s a n d t h e i r r o a d t o R o u n d To p B r e w i n g at papercitymag.com; brewery updates at roundtopbrewing.com. Minding Minden Square CoMpound intereSt Mark Massey, developer of the new Minden Square Paul and Brooke Michie are opening Round Top Brewing. jack thompson jack thompson (Continued) 92