USA, NY: Galaxy Brewing Co. plans new facility in Binghamton
During a City of Binghamton Planning Commission meeting on April 8, plans were unveiled to transform the former E.H Titchener Co. factory at 2 Titchener Place into Galaxy Brewing Co.'s new facility, the Press & Sun-Bulletin reported on April 10.
The brewery's location at 41 Court St. in Binghamton is currently open as a bar and tasting room.
According to planning documents obtained from the City of Binghamton, Galaxy Brewing Co. plans to transform the entire 2.96-acre lot between Murray Street and Titchener Place into a light industrial facility for the brewery, plus associated offices, a brew pub with a taproom, game room and patio, and warehousing.
The plans also include the construction of a 49-space parking lot along Clinton Street, a loading area and a four-space parking lot in the back of the building.
The brew pub is expected to span a total of 3,700 square feet, which includes a 1,900-square-foot interior and 1,800-square-foot exterior patio. The light industrial section is slated at 11,390 square feet, and the warehouse is expected to span 30,827 square feet.
According to Broome County property records, the 2 Titchener Place lot is owned by Titchener Townhomes LLC. It was purchased on Dec. 29, 2017, for $150,000 from Bing Property & Storage LLC.
Prior to that, it was owned by Broome County and sold to Bing Property & Storage LLC on May 25, 2016, for $15,000.
Seth Weisel and his father, Mike Weisel, opened Galaxy Brewing Co.'s Court Street location in Binghamton in 2013.
In December of 2018, the restaurant posted a "galactic announcement" on its Facebook page, explaining that the restaurant would close to allow for the brewing operation to expand as a result of an "increasingly overwhelming demand for our beers across the Southern Tier and the rest of Upstate New York."
The restaurant portion of Galaxy's 41 Court St. location closed at the end of 2018. It's now being used as a bar and tasting room until the operation moves into its new facility.
The tasting room is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, and noon to midnight Saturday.
Galaxy Brewing Company, LLC was recognized during National Small Business Week at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 19th annual Small Business Excellence Awards luncheon on May 5, 2017 in Syracuse.
Award recipients were selected based on their company’s longevity, innovation, sales growth, increased employment, ability to overcome adversity or community contributions.
According to a release from the Small Business Administration, the restaurant received assistance from the City of Binghamton's Economic Development Department, the SBDC at Binghamton University, and financing from The 504 Company and the SBA during Galaxy's 2013 opening.
That year, 600 barrels of craft beer were produced and distributed to venues across upstate New York, the SBA said in a statement.
Just two years later, production grew to 1,500 barrels.
According to Broome County Clerk records, Galaxy Brewing Co. took a $1,017,500 Small Business Administration-backed loan in 2014 from M&T Bank.
Galaxy Brewing Co.'s new facility is part of a surge of trendy drinking and dining destinations.
In 2012, The Old Union Hotel was purchased by brothers Adam and Andy Kipp, and their cousin, Mike Cooke. The trio transformed it to a bar and restaurant known for its wings.
More: Parlor City Vegan Kitchen will open a cafe, but first it needs your help
And just a block away from the Titchener facility, Parlor City Vegan owners Sara and Lei Liu are in the process of transforming an 81 Clinton St. space into a 100% vegan café.
Until the café opens, Parlor City Vegan can be seen at the Broome County Regional Farmer's Market on Front Street nearly every Saturday.
Galaxy Brewing Co.'s plans are scheduled to be discussed at the next City of Binghamton Planning Commission meeting on May 13.
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