Hey Forum,
I posted a while back and I am still searching for a location my brewery project. It has been a challenge because I am looking for an industrial space with:
15 foot ceilings or higher
efficient loading and unloading of deliveries
decent enough location for retail and night taproom business
Fair Rent, $6-8sqft, for an industrial space
reasonable landlord!!
I am drawn to downtown because of its history and my desire to be a part of improving downtown. I just like the idea of making beer in a brick warehouse with some history (I might be dreaming!)
Cheers,
Ben
Intuition Ale Works
www.intuitionaleworks.com
Hey Ben,
Do you have a number I can contact you at directly? Thanks, I can help!
I would suggest the Springfield warehouse district but I'm afraid it won't meet your needs. What about some of the buildings over in LaVilla.
School No. 4 !!!!! For years I have thought this would be the perfect spot for a brewery. I am desperate to see that space restored and in use, some how some way. I love the columns and the fact that it is next to 95!
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-2863-dsc_0141.JPG)
Oooh. Good one steph. Intuition Ale Works @ The Schoolhouse. Great adaptive reuse idea for a location that might be considered too noisy or undesirable by many due to the interstate proximity. There could be classes on brew making.
Nice idea Stephelf. I'm sure you could get that space for Free .99, but making it usable would be expensive. Bold City is practically sitting on top of the train tracks, but when a train goes by they just ring the bell and everybody Hoots. As a big beer fan, I'm always excited to see new brewers in our town. If I can help (I'm a finance/accountant guy), please let me know.
Maybe one of the industrial buildings in Brooklyn.
What about the fire house on Riverside by EverBank? I think it would make a great pub/micro brewery. Reminds me of a fire house conversion in Tacoma Washington.
http://www.ehouse9.com/gallery.php?action=showimage&image=img1.jpg
the firehouse would be awesome but I think they are tearing it down.
You should contact DVI, I believe they have info on empty buildings in the core.
Thanks for the replies!!
Unfortunately Springfield is a little to far from where I live.
And I do not have a large budget for buildout as brewing equipment ain't cheap!!
The space needs to be in decent shape and I need a minimum of 5000 square feet.
Ben
Sounds like you need the building that sits between the arena and the baseball grounds. Or maybe the building on the Northeast corner of Bay and APR.
Ahh yes, the former Bay Club location!!! Its a great building.
or maybe check with the Landing....the former brewery space is empty....and the equipment might still be there
Thanks for the suggestions.
I had looked at the E.Bay Club a while back and a decent amount of buildout has been done for office spaces.
It is worth revisiting but I can't work on game days!
QuoteUnfortunately Springfield is a little to far from where I live.
Not that there's a location that meets your needs, but how is Springfield too far but downtown is not. Where do you think Springfield is located?
The Central Firestation downtown is pretty cool. I think it is currently on the market.
As far as I know it is. That would be a great location. Across the street from London Bridge, two doors down from Burrito Gallery, across from the old library. I wanted to buy that space myself, but I'm 22 and broke..... Can't win 'em all.
Quote from: Deuce on August 24, 2009, 09:39:41 AM
QuoteUnfortunately Springfield is a little to far from where I live.
Not that there's a location that meets your needs, but how is Springfield too far but downtown is not. Where do you think Springfield is located?
I know where Springfield is and it is further from where I live than Downtown.
Springfield is only a mile or 2 from the river.
Quote from: thirdeye on August 24, 2009, 11:18:22 AM
Quote from: Deuce on August 24, 2009, 09:39:41 AM
QuoteUnfortunately Springfield is a little to far from where I live.
Not that there's a location that meets your needs, but how is Springfield too far but downtown is not. Where do you think Springfield is located?
I know where Springfield is and it is further from where I live than Downtown.
it's about a 3 minute drive from burrito gallery....
Hmmm there are so many cool options to toy with. I like the idea of the old firestation next to London Bridge, or Bay St. Me personally, I say keep it Downtown. I think however the old firestation is zoned for housing, I could be wrong. But somewhere in that general facinity would be great, walking distance from Bay St and/or the Landing.
Man I'm excited now, we need more of this stuff. Hurry! HAHA
Ben,
One thing we ran into when try to get into a building downtown was fighting with the zoning laws. Also, anything to do with alcohol, is a pain as First Baptist pretty much owns downtown. There is a pretty cool building in San Marco which has nice loading docks and such. It's near Jack Rabbits. I believe it is an old JEA building.
Cheers,
Brian
Bold City Brewery
Brian is right, Downtown will be (of all locations in that area) the hardest to get good zoning, however I was at one time trying to open up a motorcycle shop in the outskirts of downtown (just off union and market, across from win-dixie) and downtown offers a lot of tax and financial benefits for small business owners. Check out www.coj.net for more information. I think the young lady's name was Lindsey, I spoke with her at their downtown office, she was very knowledgable about the benifits of business downtown and excited to help.
Perhaps a partnership with the group that wants to renovate the Hayden Burns Library downtown. Imagine a combination Supermarket, coffee shop, and micro brew. :) 8)
Quote from: BridgeTroll on August 27, 2009, 07:55:10 AM
Perhaps a partnership with the group that wants to renovate the Hayden Burns Library downtown. Imagine a combination Supermarket, coffee shop, and micro brew. :) 8)
I like, I like... grab a beer and go shopping!!! Really though, that corner and Bay St. are going to be your best bets for a strong downtown location. It may be a good ways in the future but as long as Art Walk keeps a churning you will have one SOLID day a month that will consist of showing the city what your made of. BG and London Bridge is consistently packed on Art Walk nights.
that is a brilliant idea bridgetroll!
Aw shucks... I love downtown and want more people there...
Thanks again for all of the replies.
I actually think zoning downtown is less of an issue than in other areas of Jacksonville.
I have spoke with JEDC and they handle zoning in the core and felt like putting a brewery and taproom downtown would be no problem. But I also know that when dealing with the gov't answers can vary with whom u speak.
Depending on the zoning I should only need an exception to sell alcohol on site.
Ben
just get it done before the First Baptist Church gets wind of what you are planning.
If I am not within 1500 feet of any church they can't stop me from serving, brewing or selling beer.
Get it up and running big fella and I will come....love that microbrewery product!
Big Fella! How did you know I was not a petite guy? ;D
what true beer guys are petite?