USA, OH: New brewery may open in Painesville in summer-fall 2018

A major property in downtown Painesville recently was sold.

Painesville Economic Development Director Cathy Bieterman said the former Citizens Bank at 113 Main St. was purchased by 113 Main Street LLC.

According to a news release, 113 Main Street LLC is planning to open a brewery downtown, News-Herald.com reported on December 1.

“As the owners of 113 Main Street, we know that the city of Painesville is a great destination for a brewery,” they said. “Brewpubs offer a high value added production of beer that makes their success margins greater than a typical restaurant. The downtown Painesville area is a destination already with Silvestro’s Depot, the Steele Mansion and Lake Erie College.”

The owners said they hope the brewpub will draw residents and visitors alike to “a very unique building in the heart of the downtown.”

The brewery project is early in the design phase, said 113 Main Street LLC representatives.

“We completed a detailed review of the existing building condition, mechanical equipment, etc. prior to closing,” they said. “We have met with and interviewed architects, contractors, etc. We will be moving forward with the detail design in the next month or so.”

The city is working closely with the new property owners to secure a high-foot traffic first-floor tenant at this site.

“As a part of our overall city’s Downtown Master Plan, we are seeking unique retailers and restaurants in our central business district,” said Council President Paul Hach. “Through this downtown master plan, we are targeting key sites that have the potential to encourage new mixed-use development that complements the existing historic blocks and brings new retail, entertainment, office and housing activity to the area that will help make the district a thriving and vibrant destination.”

Painesville has been working on key targeted redevelopment properties throughout the city over the last year, Bieterman said.

As a part of a United States Environmental Protection Agency grant that Painesville received, the city was able to conduct environmental and hazardous substance assessments.

Bieterman said this grant was instrumental in redevelopment.

“It gave them (113 Main LLC) comfort that there were no major environmental hazards,” she said. “We’re really excited about this opportunity.”

This site, which was formerly the Citizens Savings and Loan Building and later a Dollar Bank, has a rich history.

According to an article from The Telegraph on Nov. 7, 1964, A.E. Seymour, then new president of Citizens Savings and Loan, wanted to make the building located on Main and Saint Clair streets a more architecturally suitable headquarters.

Therefore, extensive rebuilding was necessary.

“Molded black trim, stone cornices and architraves, colonial paned windows and shutters and a slate mansard roof were added to the exterior,” the article states. “As was the custom in Colonial days, the building was painted a bright color. Mr. Seymour chose Constitution Blue.”

This historic building at 113 Main St. still has the architectural charm that Seymour envisioned.

“We looked at quite a few properties in surrounding communities for a potential brewpub,” said 113 Main Street LLC. “We really like the historic downtown aspect of Painesville, which can’t be replicated these days. The excitement of the city officials for a potential brewpub has also been very reassuring. We are hoping to be open summer/fall of 2018.”

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