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Stone Brewing coming to Fulton
10/08/2014 4:30 PM by John M
Graham Moomaw has word that California’s Stone Brewing is coming to Fulton, with an announcement due for tomorrow.
The brewery will be located on a 12 1/2 acre parcel across Williamsburg Avenue from Gillies Creek Park, down from Chimborazo Park and near Rocketts Landing.
According to earlier article in the RTD, Stone expects that the facility will cost upwards of $20 million; HamptonRoads.com says the development will bring 350 jobs. The project is also expected to include a restaurant and retail space, in addition to the industrial brewing operation.
— ∮∮∮ —
Oh!!
Awesome!
Awesome boost for the East End! With any luck it will spur development of property at Williamsburg and 31st.
OhMyGosh!!!
Thank you super salesman Governor McAuliffe!
Amazing work!!!
Game changer, indeed.
Great news!
Great news for an area with brewing in its history!
Huge fan of this.
City: Let’s see some good bike and pedestrian infrastructure connecting the Hill, this, and the River.
YES!!!!!
I heard on the radio this morning that they’re expecting to add about a hundred jobs.
HOORAY JOBS!
Richmond is Getting Stone Brewing Co. AND a Restaurant, Too
http://www.richmond.com/food-drink/article_eedf9ccc-b12c-11e3-bc92-0017a43b2370.html
can’t wait
I read an earlier article a few months back that the total investment could top $60 million with more than 300 jobs in five years. I’ll have to search for the article to give credit, but this is great news! 🙂
But wait. Won’t this ruin the view?! Especially the restaurant right on the bend of the James?! But its ok, everyone likes beer…..
@Steven H – I believe the restaurant will repurpose the building that is already there.
Press release from the city:
City of Richmond Wins Stone Brewing
~Company to invest $74 million and create a minimum of 288 new jobs~
Richmond, VA – Mayor Dwight C. Jones joined Governor Terry McAuliffe today in announcing that Stone Brewing Co., the 10th largest craft brewer in the United States, has chosen Richmond as the preferred location for the establishment of an east coast operation.
“We are thrilled about Stone’s decision to choose Richmond as its East Coast production and distribution facility location,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “After competing with more than 20 other states, we are so pleased that Stone has discovered those attributes that make Richmond a great place to do business. The fact that they have chosen a site in the Greater Fulton Community underscores their understanding of the rich history and natural assets that we have to offer. As they bring their unique craft beer and visionary business model here, I look forward to the many opportunities that lay ahead with Stone.”
Mayor Jones thanked his economic development team for their work on securing the agreement, citing the project as one that had many moving parts, requiring various amounts of expertise and a collaborative effort. The project will generate a minimum of 288 jobs in the first three years, a minimum of $41 million in machinery and equipment, and a minimum of $1.7 million in personal property. The city also received a $5 million grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist with the project.
Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “Today’s announcement marks the fruition of months of partnership and aggressive efforts to show Stone Brewing Co. that Virginia is the best state for its new craft beer production and hospitality facility. The company received submissions from more than 20 states, and the Commonwealth of Virginia was selected. This competitive, high-profile project really puts Virginia on the map and cements our standing as a serious player in the craft beer industry. In addition to Stone’s significant investment and more than 288 new jobs, the far-reaching economic benefits of this operation
are innumerable. The City of Richmond offers the infrastructure, available site and
building, and natural resources that will allow the company to thrive and grow, and we are confident that Stone will benefit from the Commonwealth’s excellent business environment for years to come. Today is an achievement of great magnitude, and we are thrilled to welcome Stone Brewing Co. to Virginia.”
“The search for our location east of the Mississippi River was no easy endeavor,” said Stone President and Co-founder Steve Wagner. “We received and reviewed hundreds of proposals, visited more than 40 sites, and received quite a bit of attention from communities and craft beer fans. The three finalist cities each provided diverse offerings; however, we decided to begin next-step negotiations with Richmond because of their ability to meet our extensive site requirements, subject to the city’s approval. We also feel that Richmond’s vibrant energy and impressive craft beer culture, along with the uniqueness of the property, will allow us to create a truly memorable Stone experience for our fans. We are honored by the amount of time and effort all the communities that submitted proposals put forth, and we want to specifically thank Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones for welcoming us.”
“We are working very hard on the economic development front to expand the city’s tax base, increase economic opportunity, and to provide opportunities for jobs and growth,” said Mayor Jones. “Our city has many needs, and we are working to provide the environment to meet those needs. Today’s announcement further cements the City of Richmond as a prime location for business.”
Mayor Jones noted that the agreement does require Richmond City Council approval, which he plans to advance the papers for their consideration next week.
John –
Is the building you refer to the old warehouse that goes over Wharf Street?
Ray – yes, that building is included in this deal.
Intermediate Terminal property eyed for beer garden but no deal on table with owner
http://www.timesdispatch.com/local/intermediate-terminal-property-eyed-for-beer-garden-but-no-deal/article_a8ccede4-a3ef-5898-b3d1-f04c9c294f7f.html
Have they tried our water yet? I would have thought that would be a deal breaker.
Oh great. Private developers.There’s always a catch.
@ #32 Alex
Umm, where do you think the other 7 or so RVA breweries get their water? I’m pretty sure they are not trucking in Rocky Mountain spring water for their beers. Certainly, science and a skilled brewmaster can make municipal water taste like “sudsy nectar of the gods,” don’t you think?
Regarding the water quality, I’ve heard from many brewmasters in the area who all agree the water in this area lends itself to a quality brew. Brewing = boiling so much of the “nasties” are killed in the production process.
Wait… are they giving Gillies Creek the Shockoe Creek treatment?
Water quality was mentioned in an interview with one of Stone Brewing’s executive. He said the water quality in both Norfolk and Richmond were better than in the San Diego area because of its high alkaline content. I lived in Southern CA for 13 years, the water is very hard and many folks get drinking water delivered to their homes.
A Style Weekly article on some Richmond restauranteurs perceptions of the Stone Brewery deal:
http://www.styleweekly.com/ScrumBlog/archives/2014/12/04/city-restaurant-owners-sour-on-stone-brewing-deal
I’d be interested to read the thoughts of some of the local Church Hill restaurants owners on this subject.
They have a point
@39 and @40, I also read that article, and agree that I think the restaurant owners have a point. I’m also curious to hear from some Church Hill and other Shockoe restaurant owners as to what they think.
They may have a point, but can they say they will bring “200 employees and estimates it will bring in $10 million in retail and restaurant sales annually” to the city? I doubt it. This isn’t a little mom and pop restaurant. The city is looking at it as a future investment. It will be a great way to tie together church hill, fulton and rockets!
As I wrote in the comments section of the Style article, Richmond restaurateurs are welcome in Greater Fulton–with wide open arms. Not one has participated in our 5-year planning and community redevelopment efforts. The Stone project is bringing decades-overdue attention and investment to Greater Fulton, particularly to Historic Fulton and Rocketts (which is different from Rocketts Landing). It is not a restaurant project. It’s a revitalization project in a community that was decimated by purposeful destruction over 40 years ago and pretty much ignored and forgotten despite promises of reinvestment. Stone is the catalyst for area-wide reinvestment. Maybe, just maybe some of those Richmond restaurateurs will find it worth their while to ride Stone’s coat tails and come on over and down the hill.
#42, if you look at all the restaurants in the City, the number of jobs they have created over the years goes exponentially beyond the 200 figure you cite and they created them without the benefit of a special deal. I can, therefore, certainly appreciate their argument which still does not preclude me from supporting the Stone deal.
I guess my greater point is that let’s not randomly trash a bunch of independent restaurant operators and their establishments whose presence have been significant assets to the city and our quality of life.
Can we for once let something positive happen in the city and in the east end? Every state and city government nationwide tries to lure businesses to their region by offering incentives, and from what I gather it’s city property that’s being sold to the brewery. Now that riverfront property that was neglected for decades is a hot commodity, everyone complains. Stone Brewery is not just a restaurant, it’s a manufacturing facility for a product, as well as a distribution center, we need that revenue.
Historic tax credits don’t bring in revenue for a number of years, but they’re a catalyst for future investment and development in the city. For 24 years I’ve heard how corrupt the city government under different administrations, then run for public office, investigate each department, and implement the auditor’s recommendations. To help city businesses attract or keep customers, make parking free for the first hour and a half. Give current businesses a break on utilities, and if businesses lease their spaces, the owners should keep the rent reasonable to prevent shuttered businesses around town. Stone Brewery will be a tremendous asset to our community.