Red tape for loan slows Greenport Brewery construction in Peconic
Delayed while paperwork was compiled for the banks, construction is expected to resume soon at Greenport Harbor Brewing Company’s second location in Peconic, said co-owner Rich Vandenburgh.
It was announced in December 2011 that the local craft beer company, which opened in 2009 on Carpenter Street in Greenport, would take over the vacant Lucas Ford dealership at the corner of Route 25 and Peconic Lane. The doors of the new location were to open this past May.
Remodeling of the three-acre property got off to a running start, but hit a snag earlier this year after the company applied for a small business loan to complete the work, Mr. Vandenburgh said.
“Finalizing the financing has been difficult,” he said.
The company applied for a U.S. Small Business Administration 504 Loan, which requires a significant amount of documentation, including an environmental site assessment, he explained.
Mr. Vandenburgh said the paperwork is finally complete and he believes Greenport Harbor Bewing Company is 30 to 40 days away from restarting construction. He and his partner, John Leigey, hope to begin beer production in January, with a grand opening in May 2014.
“We can’t make and sell the beer fast enough,” Mr. Vandenburgh said.
The new location will go beyond a typical tasting room. The plan is to run a brew-pub-style restaurant that will incorporate a 25,000-barrel brew house system, as well as a tasting room with indoor and outdoor seating.
Mr. Vandenburgh and Mr. Liegey said the new space will not only help the company increase operations, but will also provide the land to “cultivate and explore locally grown crops, solidifying the North Fork as a local beer destination.”
“We’ll get there eventually,” Mr. Vandenburgh said.
