Beer Trade Co., a craft beer concept founded by Montgomery County native Chris Sanchez in Florida, is aiming for a spring 2026 opening in Laytonsville, bringing a laid back, honor based beer experience back home.
Sanchez and business partner Niko Tombros were born and raised in the Silver Spring area, where they met and became best friends while graduating from James Hubert Blake High School in 2002. More than 20 years ago, Sanchez relocated to the West Palm Beach area, where he went on to found Beer Trade Co. in 2014. Now, the longtime friends are teaming up to open the brand’s first Maryland location.
The Laytonsville Beer Trade Co. will open at 6860 Olney Laytonsville Road, taking over the space formerly occupied by The Office at the Red Barn Retail Shops. Sanchez says the team is targeting a spring opening timeframe.
Beer Trade Co. operates on a casual, trust based model designed to give customers the freedom to explore a wide variety of beers at their own pace. Guests grab their own drinks from a large display cooler, find a seat, and then place food orders with staff. Empty bottles and cans stay at the table until customers are ready to head to the register and cash out all at once. The concept blends the feel of a bottle shop with a sit down bar, encouraging sampling, conversation, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Sanchez says his love for Maryland played a major role in bringing the concept north. After moving to Florida, he wanted to bring a piece of Maryland with him, even introducing Old Bay to the Delray Beach area, where Beer Trade Co. has become a top destination for wings. Opening in Laytonsville gives him a reason to come home and flip the script by bringing a bit of Florida back to Maryland.
One of the menu standouts will be the “Florida Man” wings, featuring honey and Everglades seasoning. Sanchez says there were three non negotiables when building the food program: an exceptional chicken sandwich, a triple blend burger, and wings marinated in a signature house marinade.
Expansion opportunities have come up over the years, but Sanchez says trust was the deciding factor this time. “Though I’ve been approached to expand, I’ve never trusted anyone the way I do Niko,” he said. Partnering with his longtime best friend made the move back to Maryland feel right.
Beer Trade Co.’s tagline, “grab a beer and chill,” is central to the brand’s identity and philosophy, and the Laytonsville location aims to reflect that same easygoing, community focused vibe when it opens next spring.
