Flying Bison Brewing Company appears to be heading to Seneca Street in the Larkin District. The brewery, currently located at 490 Ontario Street, is said to be eyeing a vacant building at 840 Seneca Street as its new, larger home. Tim Herzog’s Flying Bison is Buffalo’s first stand alone brewery since Iroquois Brewing closed its doors in 1972.
The 840 Seneca Street site includes a small 1,305 sq.ft. building along Seneca Street and a larger 12,500 sq.ft building fronting Lord Street. Flying Bison is looking to purchase the properties from 840 Seneca LLC. The $2.54 million project would involve building renovations and the purchase of additional bottling equipment to increase production. There would also be a tasting room at the brewery.
The Flying Bison project is one of 16 priority projects recommended for state support by the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council (REDC). Flying Bison is seeking $500,000 in grant money for the move. The projects vary in scope, representing the region’s diversity; but are complementary to the REDC strategies, taking a regional approach or focusing on key strategic investments to boost economic growth within a particular county. The projects collectively support direct creation/retention of more than 524 jobs and 1,248 indirect jobs, and represent more than $174 million in total investment.
If all goes according to plan, Flying Bison’s taps could be flowing early next year.