"The microbrewery that was once proposed for the old train station in Salisbury is now belly up, it appears. The Knorr brothers have discovered the greener pastures of Delmar, and now are unlikely to look back to the 'Bury. The following recently appeared in the blog "Delmar DustPan":
Other Utility Commissions happenings; the main item was Southern Boys Concept, a company made up of brothers Tom and John Knorr, wants to buy the old IGA building in Delmar and make it into a microbrewery. The two brothers own the Red Roost, Boonies Restaurant, So Bo Wine Bistro, and a restaurant in Guatemala. It looks like a very interesting concept that could add to the interest in people coming to Delmar. They say the noise and smell will not leave the building. They plan a landscaping, paint job, and improved lighting on the building. They will have a tasting room and can sell the product they make on premise (but not to drink on premise). The Utility Commission gave it's approval for the concept. Additional information will be needed from them.
Southern Boys Concept presented their plan to the joint council and it was approved by two votes yes and one vote no (John Outten).
This is a win-win: lower cost in Delmar than in Salisbury to start-up and to operate, but still in the same market area. And Delmar gets more tax revenue.
But not to worry, Salisbury, Barrie will soon start a "microbrewery task force" you can count on that -- and she will probably offer them a "TIF" deal, too."
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
26 comments:
Thank goodness these men realized that the train station was a train wreck. They prevented the crime rate from rising by not opening. The neighborhood that is infested with criminals was licking its chops waiting for it to open. They would rob, murder and prostitute the patrons and send the crime rate sky high. It would be like parading a fat chicken in front of a pack of wolves. Well Mare, you've run another business away. Still think your City is such a wonderful place.
There were lots of people who had high hopes for the train station, the Knorrs and the City of Salisbury. The concept was good but more is needed than a building and concepts. I applaud the Knorrs from waking up and moving down the road to another city and state.
Joe what will happen if the Market St. End closes? Will you open a Barrie Bar?
micro breweries are old hat and dont make money. The only thing that you can hope is that you get a better liquor license because you brew on premises.
Most of the micro breweries in the larger cities, that popped up years ago (before Salisbury could spell micro) are now either out of business or evolved into a different type or restaraunt/bar.
while, I wish the best for these guys, a micro-brewery, on the eastern shore, in this economy will be a hard thing to make successful.
I disagree. Although I don't drink, I'd start drinking beer just to support them.
When Barrie Tilghman got the news about this, she was heard to say to her assistant, the lovely Lore Chambers:
"make that a double and hold the ice."
I beg to differ. Tell Samuel Adams that a microbrewery won't make it. The Knorr brothers are not stupid men otherwise they wouldn't be so successful. If they come up with a good brew and a great marketing person, they'll make another boat load. Good luck to you guys.
Worst thing is that they kept screwing with the Knorr's when they were trying to do the same thing at the old train station, finally telling them that the city was going to need a $168,000 "impact fee".
So, rightfully, Tom Knorr said "f*ck you" and took his business to Delaware.
Thanks Barrie!
Crystal, you are wrong. Your facts about the events are wrong, and your ideas about what would happen are wrong, too.
It would do nothing but help revitalize the area and REDUCE crime. And it wasn't the Knorr's who caused the project to fail. It was Barrie Tilghman's exorbitant "fees" that caused them to leave the city.
anonymous 8:07, are they going to be a brewery ore a restaraunt? If they are a brewery only, then they have a chance. They can supply local bars and brew pubs. If they have good marketing, OC alone can do them good. Dogfish Head has shown that. They also have a restaraunt, but their brewery and distribution is their bread and butrter.
but if they are a brew pub. no chance.
Anyone who can relocate outside this business hostile City/State, more power to them.
Has anyone looked at the old railroad station? It would take a fortune to renovate. Even if it were rehabbed, who would want to come to that area? I think the Knoors envisioned outside seating. Can you even imagine sitting outside in that location and staring across the rr tracks at the Church St. neighborhood?
Re. the impact fee, most of us are for it until we see how it affects well-respected entrepreneurs like the Knoors; then we're not so sure. It's ok if it's levied against the bigtime developers.
The Knoors were wise to do what they did.
I said those guys weren't stupid. Tom majored in economics at Utah State and his brother John was and may still be a corporate executive for Phillip's at Harbour Place in Baltimore. That's shame too because it seems whatever they try to pull off they succeed and I know that they would have made that train station a nice place. Shoot, Tom had camera's on his two outside walk-in's way down at the Red Roost and that was 7 or 8 years ago. I'm positive that they would have had that area covered 360 degrees on camera and security to assure their patrons safety. No doubt in my mind.
This new format has thrown me a curve, way to keep me on my toes Joe! Tim Chaney
I firmly disagree. Look what the Wamplers did with Station 7 in Pittsville. Look what they have done with the Old Mill in Delmar. Then look at Boonies. Come on now. It takes talented people to take something run down and turn it into a local landmark.
If you weren't aware, if they ddn't purchase that old Union Station, I would have owned it and put a restaurant in there as wel. Once the Mayor learned I was buying the building the deal fel out from underneath me because she's a scam artist and afraid of Joe Albero.
Anyhow, it's a shame that building will now sit and nothing will be done. Once we get a new Police Chief and Mayor, places like that neighborhood will imediately change and the real estate will skyrocket.
Much as I want to see Barrie outtahere, the situation at the train station can't be put on her plate -- it's been like that for at least 25 years, when it was the English Sign shop, etc.
Maybe someday it will be revitalized -- look at what's happened to the old station in Sykesville, for example, but that will probably require 10-15 years at least.
Even if the Knoors are geniuses, it seemed stupid to go there, but now you can do your restaurant if they will sell for a proper price.
Joe,
as to your last paragraph: couldn't have said it better myself. As soon as we get rid of the greedy idiots, and install people who believe in effective governance, we will see this town turn around for business and law and order.
As a huge beer fan and homebrewer I was dying for this to come to town. Once again it is a damn shame for Salisbury that they cant wrap their minds around getting together on anything that might better the town or an area of it. Good luck to the Knoors-I will be there the day the doors open. And trust me the craft beer movement is far from dead. Their sales are up 25% in the last year and are now close to 4% of ALL beer sales. That is quite a move from the lowly 1% of the market they had only a few years ago. Beer is the new wine.
So, why don't you buy it from them and try again. I'm sure Barrie would work with you.
i just want to put a freeze on task force spending...see where that takes us
If the area was an indication that a business would not be successful because of crime then Fells Point and the Inner Harbor of Baltimore would have never been developed. Bring in the good and choke out the bad!
What a shame.
If I were them and had their money I'd yank that train station up by it's roots and move the whole damn thing out of Salisbury.
It's impossible to advance under the conditions that business people must operate under in SBY.
Only those who are "grandfathered" and have not had to jump through the hoops necessary to start a business lately are not openly unhappy.
Those brothers should thank their lucky stars they didn't get any farther along than they did.
Delmar is a much more reasonable business environment. Good Luck to them.
Yum! Microbrews only 9 miles away from my house. I am so there!!!! I couldn't stand beer until I tried Samuel Adams; microbrewed beers definitely the new wine.
Not to mention, the Delmar Town support!
Wonder what they'll call it.....
Wildcat ???? Every citizen will buy it simply for the name!
Once again Salisbury is f**king clueless. Nice restaurants/buildings/homes are a positive way to help push out crime and other bad attributes to a city. Of course this takes time but its a start. A brewery would be a big success in Salisbury. We need some younger, more energetic local govt. People who have actually gotten out once and a while to see what makes other nearby cities work. It seems like every city around us is growing in a more friendly, positive way. GET A CLUE!!! Take a look at Easton, Annap., Rehobeth, even Berlin. We have soooooo much potential that is going to waste in Salisbury. It kills me.
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