New Brewery Location - Where to put it.

[jdlev]

Hey fellas and fellets,

We're trying to decide betwen a few locations. I'd appreciate any advice I can get. After all, all of us are smarter than any one of us. :rockin:

Thanks! Here's the link...

Hob Knob bLoG

 

[HopKeller]

What locations are you considering?

 

[hopsalot]

The first location is really big, plenty of room for a 3 bbl system. Looks really expensive. I like the second location, good price and has a garage.

Have you applied for your licences?

 

[jdlev]

Right now, it's between small town, USA - statesville, nc...and cornelius, nc..which is a little closer to Charlotte, but the rent for what you get is about 50-100% more per sq ft.

 

[hopsalot]

What locations are you considering?

Hob Knob bLoG

.

 

[jdlev]

The first location is really big, plenty of room for a 3 bbl system. Looks really expensive. I like the second location, good price and has a garage.

Have you applied for your licences?

Not yet, but we've pretty much settled on the system and components. The first location is PERFECT, and only $1200/month, but has some issues, like a waterproof floor, and it's in a much smaller city.

 

[hopsalot]

Equipment is easy, permiting sucks. if you are seriously going to start you need to get all permitting going. You want to be able to brew as soon as you get your equipment. We lagged just a bit and had equipment sitting, waiting on the ATF then the state. 90 days for the feds, they will take all 90; TX was pretty quick once we got the feds to approve, about a month. 4 months to get our brewpub license. It’s better to have it early, the annual fees are reasonable.

both location you show on your blog are awesome, $1200 is a great deal. What leads up those stairs?

 

[hopsalot]

would you utilze those vent hoods?

 

[jdlev]

Equipment is easy, permiting sucks. if you are seriously going to start you need to get all permitting going. You want to be able to brew as soon as you get your equipment. We lagged just a bit and had equipment sitting, waiting on the ATF then the state. 90 days for the feds, they will take all 90; TX was pretty quick once we got the feds to approve, about a month. 4 months to get our brewpub license. It’s better to have it early, the annual fees are reasonable.

both location you show on your blog are awesome, $1200 is a great deal. What leads up those stairs?

It's got a HUGE attic that can be used to store tons of stuff :rockin: It also has a second level, but it's kind of dilapidated.

 

[hopsalot]

thats awesome, maybe that is where you can grind grain, perhaps gravity fed straight to your mash tun. I can see myself drinking a pint there. Was this a restaurant in the past?

I guess the only way to get the system in would be through the back door.

 

[kh54s10]

Personally I would get onto the licensing ASAP. I don't know about your area but the bureaucracy in RI is arcane. I would expect up to a year or more to get everything into place. Then you can look into location. It may be a requirement to have a location to get the final permits.

Location, location, location. What is in an affluent area, easy to get to, good parking, nice building, in a nice neighborhood with as low a rent as possible.

Quantify these things and rate the locations. Then work down your list until amenities vs cost make sense.

Asking people who don't know the areas, buildings, your finances, permitting etc. is a total waste of time.

Sorry for the negativity. Good luck in your endeavor.

 

[jdlev]

thats awesome, maybe that is where you can grind grain, perhaps gravity fed straight to your mash tun. I can see myself drinking a pint there. Was this a restaurant in the past?

I guess the only way to get the system in would be through the back door.

Gravity feed grain is what we were thinking once we got bigger. It used to be a bakery.

 

[jdlev]

Personally I would get onto the licensing ASAP. I don't know about your area but the bureaucracy in RI is arcane. I would expect up to a year or more to get everything into place. Then you can look into location. It may be a requirement to have a location to get the final permits.

Location, location, location. What is in an affluent area, easy to get to, good parking, nice building, in a nice neighborhood with as low a rent as possible.

Quantify these things and rate the locations. Then work down your list until amenities vs cost make sense.

Asking people who don't know the areas, buildings, your finances, permitting etc. is a total waste of time.

Sorry for the negativity. Good luck in your endeavor.

TTB requires a lease prior to approval...essentially shooting small brewers in the foot (which is no doubt by design). The location you mentioned isn't feasible. You'd have 3-4 months of rent going out before you make a dime thanks to all the gov't red tape you have to cut through here in NC. The TTB is basically what takes all the time, NC is pretty fast...usually around 2 weeks I think.

 

[hopsalot]

yep TTB 90 days.

 

[Piratwolf]

TTB requires a lease prior to approval...essentially shooting small brewers in the foot (which is no doubt by design). The location you mentioned isn't feasible. You'd have 3-4 months of rent going out before you make a dime thanks to all the gov't red tape you have to cut through here in NC. The TTB is basically what takes all the time, NC is pretty fast...usually around 2 weeks I think.

This is actually a relief to me. I'm putting together the werewithal to open a tiny brewpub in Va Beach and was under the impression that I'd be waiting 12 months for TTB licensing. 3-4 months by comparison is relatively painless :rockin:

 

[kpfeif]

The title on your blog is "Chicks Dig the Knob"? That actually made my stomach turn a little when I clicked through. You might want to reconsider the blatant use of penis references in your business plan.

 

[hopsalot]

The title on your blog is "Chicks Dig the Knob"? That actually made my stomach turn a little when I clicked through. You might want to reconsider the blatant use of penis references in your business plan.

Lighten up dude, its funny

 

[kpfeif]

Lighten up dude, its funny

I'm not a dude, dude. I'm just giving the guy my advice: if you want to look like a professional, don't wear flip flops to work and don't make questionable jokes to your customers. It's not my money to lose. I wish him the best of luck!

 

[hopsalot]

I respect your opinion dude

I guess it is a little suggestive with the head from the beer coming out of left field.