Three brothers transformed a downtown Scranton property into a new cidery while preserving some of the city’s past in the process.
Tom, Mike and Alex Borthwick — through their firm Mod Real Estate LLC — purchased the building at 503 Linden St. in May 2024 for $500,000, according to a deed recorded in Lackawanna County.
Following extensive renovations, the brothers opened Electric City Ciderworks’ Scranton location in early April, Tom Borthwick said.
The location previously housed the Judge and Jury and the Irish Wolf Pub, and most recently an after-hours club, Borthwick added.
“When we bought it, the windows were shot out, the ceilings were collapsing, and there were leaks everywhere,” he said. “The building was in very bad shape … it was kind of a disaster. We patched everything up.”
Tom Borthwick noted the brothers paid homage to the city’s history while rehabbing the property.
“We exposed brick on one wall and made sure to really pay attention to the vibe,” he said. “We actually used trim from the (former) Lincoln-Jackson Elementary School and slate chalkboards from the (former) John Marshall school, where I went to elementary school. Even though the place is technically brand new, it has a very nice lived-in feel to it.”
After opening the original Electric City Ciderworks location on South Main Street in Old Forge in July 2022, the Borthwick brothers turned their attention to downtown Scranton.
“There is a lot of downtown living, and there are a lot of people coming to visit the city who want to go someplace unique and different,” Tom Borthwick said. “We’re very lucky and proud to offer that in the city that we love.
“You used to think of abandoned storefronts and condemned buildings left, right and center. Now, developers can’t make apartments fast enough, there are people walking their dogs on Courthouse Square and pushing strollers with babies in them. For this dramatic a turnaround to occur has been wonderful to witness, and now it’s even more wonderful because I’m a part of it.”
In addition to multiple ciders on tap throughout the year, the establishment also partners with several local breweries — including Groove Brewing and Mutant Brewing in Scranton, Pittston-based Blind Cat Beer Co., Scott Twp.-based Last Minute Brewing, and Palmyra Twp.-based Hopping Eagle Brewing Co., Borthwick said.
Borthwick stated the ciders they offer differ from others served in the region and beyond.
“Our ciders run on the drier side. We use champagne yeast, so everything is going to be a little lighter and a little bit more bubbly than maybe what people are used to,” he said.
Currently open Thursday through Saturday, the Scranton cidery location will also add Sunday hours in the next two weeks, Borthwick said.
Borthwick stressed their late business partner Scott Lodwick, who served as cidermaster at the Old Forge location before passing away last May at the age of 43, would be thrilled with the new Scranton location.
“We know Scott would be absolutely beaming with pride for the downtown,” he said.
As streetscape improvements — including new sidewalks — continue throughout downtown Scranton, Borthwick expressed optimism about the future of his new business.
“With the beautiful accordion glass doors we have, we’re going to be able to add outdoor seating,” he said. “If you think about events like the World Cup coming to downtown Scranton, it’ll be nice to sit outside on a beautiful sunny day with a cider looking at all the amazing events going on at Courthouse Square.”
Monday Update
THEN: Tom, Mike and Alex Borthwick purchased a property at 503 Linden St. in May 2024 for $500,000.
NOW: The brothers opened a new Electric City Ciderworks location in April at that spot in downtown Scranton. They previously opened a cidery in Old Forge in July 2022.
A menu of options displayed on a chalklboard is shown at Electric City Ciderworks on Linden Street in Scranton opened in April. Three brothers, Tom, left, Alex, middle, and Mike Borthwick, transformed the downtown property into a new cidery while preserving some of the city’s past in the process. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Electric City Ciderworks on Linden Street in Scranton opened in April. Three brothers, Tom, left, Alex, middle, and Mike Borthwick, transformed the downtown property into a new cidery while preserving some of the city’s past in the process. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
People enjoy an evening at Electric City Ciderworks on Linden Street in downtown Scranton. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Electric City Ciderworks on Linden Street in Scranton opened in April. Three brothers, Tom, Mike and Alex Borthwick, transformed the downtown property into a new cidery while preserving some of the city’s past in the process. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
A selection of ciders are available at Electric City Ciderworks on Linden Street in Scranton. Three brothers, Tom, left, Alex, middle, and Mike Borthwick, transformed the downtown property into a new cidery while preserving some of the city’s past in the process. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
A glass of cider is shown at Electric City Ciderworks on Linden Street in downtown Scranton. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)