By Nicole Contosta

Staff Reporter

Evidence of the Farmacy’s commitment to serving sustainable and local ingredients becomes immediately apparent to anyone who’s ever dined at the BYOB on 4443 Spruce Street.

In fact, this reporter barely walked in the door when owner Ross Scofield offered me a sample of roasted duck that he and co-chef Tim Blair prepared. Danielle Coulter, Scofield’s partner then placed a large pot of savory coffee at the a window table for our interview.

But from the moment we sat down, the interview diverged from a formal set of questions and answers and to a warm conversation about The Farmacy’s – or as many call it "The Farm" - latest venture: transforming the Third World Lounge, 49th & Baltimore Ave, to the Bar(n).

The warmth of our conversation should also come as no surprise to anyone who’s ever dined at the "the Farm." Like its culinary mission, the owners and staff’s friendlessness speaks directly to its neighborhood commitment.

When the Bar(n) opens at the beginning of this December, it will represent "a comfortable place where people can come in and sit down, drink local craft beer, a nice two dollar draft or a signature cocktail," Scofield explained. With its TV’s, stage, and upstairs kitchen, the Bar(n) will also become the destination to watch sports, hear music and later down the line—dine.

Scofield’s decision to open another venue also speaks to his investment in the community.

"I’ve fallen in love with West Philly," Scofield explained. "I did when I moved here four years ago."

In taking an interest in the neighborhood, Scofield couldn’t help but grow concerned when he read the number of articles written against Noel Karasanyi and his three establishments: Watusi, Watusi II and the Third World Lounge.

"We met him a couple of months ago because I was interested in taking over the Watusi II," Scofield said of the establishment at 45th and Locust Streets. "He said he sold it but wanted to show me the space at the Third World Lounge."

At that time, the only thing Scofield knew about the Third World was the story that customers urinated from through a second story window pipe. "But that wasn’t true. It was actually four air conditioner units and the residue went down the same pipe."

The negative rumors Scofield heard about Karasanyi have also proved false.

"He has a really cruddy reputation in this neighborhood. But so far, I haven’t seen that at all," Scofield said.

And in Coulter’s opinion, "I think people take advantage of him. But he has the best of intentions. He works really hard all day."

Work is something the Farm crew understands first hand. Karasanyi might have good intentions, but they had to completely clean and rehab the Third World Lounge’s interior.

The equipment, outdated and old, had to be replaced. "It now has all new bar equipment and a new draft system."

Then there were the thirty-year-old carpets lining the establishment’s floors and walls, Coulter said.

"We tore the carpet from the wall and floors," Scofield explained. "We had the entire place dry-walled, we had the ceiling above the bar redone, we painted the walls and put in a new hardwood floor."

The kitchen on the second floor needs new equipment. Since that’s a matter of financing, "we won’t open it initially," Coulter explained, "But when we do, the menu will have more vegan options."

The Farm crew’s decision to offer more vegan options also reflects its interest in meeting neighborhood demand.

And as Scofield explained, the Bar(n) will be the neighborhood’s first large venue that ties together craft beer, with inexpensive drafts, cocktails, sports and music.

It many ways, the Bar(n) will be an extension of the Farm

That’s why Scofield, Coulter and Blair chose the name.

"Farm to barn has a ties-in," Blair said, adding, "people who come here can go there and they’ll be comfortable in both places."

The n in parenthesis comes from the Scofield’s desire to emphasize its bar focus. "Someone told me it was too hipster and too Portland, Oregon five years ago. But it works for me," Scofield laughed.

Besides its draw as a neighborhood hub, Scofield plans to welcome any concerns or suggestions the community might have about the Bar(n).

For that reason, he plans to develop relationships with both the Cedar Park Neighborhood Association (CPNA) and the Baltimore Ave Business Association (BABA).

For more information: 267-432-1082, http://www.thefarmacyrx.com.