USA, ND: Junkyard Brewing Company planning second location in downtown West Fargo

A beloved Moorhead brewing company is promising to open a second location in downtown West Fargo for at least 10 years with nearly $690,000 in help from the West Fargo taxpayers, InForum reported on February 21.

Junkyard Brewing Company announced Tuesday, Feb. 21, it plans to move to the former Bell Bank location at 409 Sheyenne Street before the end of the year.

"Renovations on the building are scheduled to begin in March, and if all goes according to plan, beer enthusiasts can look forward to raising a glass and celebrating the business opening later in 2023," said a release from Junkyard Brewing.

The release was sent shortly after the West Fargo City Commission unanimously approved a five-year PILOT program for the company totaling $249,470 and a business incentive program of about $440,000, creating a total investment of about $690,000 from taxpayers.

The PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) allows for Junkyard to receive a property tax break on a sliding scale for five years. West Fargo's business incentive program is a grant paid for by the city's economic development sales tax money. West Fargo currently charges a half-cent sales tax to pay for programs and plans that promote economic development within the city.

West Fargo Economic Development Manager Casey Sanders-Berglund said the city will benefit from additional sales tax Junkyard Brewing will likely generate by moving to the city's downtown area, also called The Yards on Sheyenne.

"The variance there is almost a wash and can be looked at in that way," Sanders-Berglund said.

Junkyard will renovate the current building from a banking business to a destination brewery complete with an outdoor and rooftop patio. The city's business incentive will allow for Junkyard to complete the patios early in its renovations of the current space.

"We're excited to be joining the West Fargo business community," said Junkyard Brewing Owner Michelle Juhnke. "Our goal is to be more than just a place to grab a cold one. We want to work with local businesses and artists, host food trucks, charitable events and fundraisers, and create a welcoming, community-friendly atmosphere where everyone feels at home. We've got a number of supportive messages from businesses and business owners in the Sheyenne neighborhood, so that's encouraging and it makes us feel like we'll be welcomed by the neighborhood."

"It's exactly what we need down there, and I think it will help all the other businesses," said West Fargo City Commissioner Mark Simmons.

Epic Properties and Bell Bank had proposed building an eight-story mixed use building similar to Sheyenne Plaza and Pioneer Place in 2020 but the plans were eventually scrapped without public explanation from either business.

The companies had estimated building out the bank to increase retail space from 9,500 square feet to 24,394 available square feet for businesses and adding a parking ramp to the lower floors. It would have increased the value of the property by about $17.7 million. West Fargo city staff as well as West Fargo Public School administrators said at the time they supported allowing a tax finance district for the project but a proposal was not returned.

Junkyard Brewing plans to use much of the former bank building in its renovation of the space. The main floor will feature a bar with plenty of taproom seating, and there will be another bar on the second story serving second-floor seating and the rooftop patio. The second-floor seating inside the building will overlook a two-story central atrium with the main bar and seating visible below. In a unique twist, the main bar will wrap around the old bank vault that will soon become the beer keg cooler.

In its statement released on February 21, Junkyard said the 1979 building that has housed many banks inspired the company to create a "retro modern" look for the taproom. Renovations will pay homage to the sturdy construction and geometric Mid Century design of the building while incorporating Junkyard's unique character, it said.

In a post on Junkyard's Facebook page, it said it plans to keep its Moorhead location open as well.

22 February, 2023