Plans for a brewery on Ellicott Street were approved by the Buffalo Planning Board on Tuesday. Big Ditch Brewing Company is planning to locate at 55 E. Huron Street in a building owned by Iskalo Development Corp.
Big Ditch Brewing Company (website, facebook) is a start-up of a production craft beer microbrewery owned by For Matt Kahn, Corey Catalano, and Wes Froebel. They intend to brew the beer on site and have an area devoted to tastings and retail sales. The bunker-like building will get a nice makeover including ground floor windows, entrance canopies, rooftop signage, and roll-up doors in the tasting area. It is located across the street from Tappo restaurant in an area of downtown springing back to life.
Iskalo purchased 337-345 Ellicott Street from Ellicott Huron LLC for $1.1 million in November 2011. The 33,000 sq.ft. building was formerly leased by Verizon to house and service its vehicle fleet. Iskalo also owns the nearby Electric Tower, the former Howard Shoes building at 5 E. Huron Street where Oshun is planning to open, and 210 Oak Street.
Two other brewery projects were green lighted at the Planning Board meeting. Flying Bison Brewing’s proposal to relocate to 840 Seneca Street in the Larkin District and Resurgence Brewing Company’s plans for a brewery and beer garden at 1250 Niagara Street were both approved.
Cheers!