Update: Top Hops Beer Shop at 94 Orchard Street

The last vestige of Nolita-based boutique Bag was finally deposed from 94 Orchard Street four months after departing the Lower East Side. As we speak, contract work on the successor is steadily progressing. New signage was affixed to the slatted facade yesterday afternoon, and promises to replace fashionista bags with craft beer.

As reported here back in July, a new beer depot dubbed Top Hops (not to be confused with Top Shop or Top Hat on Broome) is making inroads into the neighborhood. The security gates are rolled up daily with constant movement behind closed doors.  Boxes are stacked fairly high eliminating chances of clear snapshots. But we snapped a couple.

Once the build-out is complete, Top Hops, self-proclaimed “merchants and advocates of great beer,” will offer an extensive selection from around the world.  Indeed, there are reportedly 20 draft lines planned with an additional 500 bottled beverages.  Beer connoisseurs will surely be fiending (stop calling me Shirley).  Customers can choose to enjoy the liquid meal inside 94 Orchard Street or opt to take-away. But for the moment, the tavern wine license is still pending with the SLA.

Branded growlers, which reportedly arrived in early November, are also available for purchase. Here’s the product:

Meanwhile, a bare-bones website is live, but much like the store itself, seems to be a work-in-progress.  We are told that the shop is still about three weeks from opening.  Give or take…