USA, VA: State Street Brewing Co. planned for downtown Bristol in 2018

A new downtown brewery is planned for the long-vacant former Hayes Furniture building in downtown Bristol, Bristol Herald Courier reported on August 7.

State Street Brewing Co. is expected to open at 801 State St., once the two-story, 20,000-square-foot building has been rehabilitated and brewing equipment installed, according to new co-owner Debi Denney.

Denney and her husband, Larry Denney, recently acquired the property, which she calls the “best property” in downtown. They plan to lease to ground floor to their sons-in-law Kent and Kody Pierson, to establish and operate the brewery.

“Our sons-in-law were looking at places in Cincinnati and they came to look in Bristol,” Debi Denney said. “They looked at three or four spaces downtown, walked in here and fell in love with the space. It just felt right to them. Larry walked outside and said, ‘I cannot wait to start working on that place.’”

The Pierson twins, who currently live in Cincinnati but are relocating to the Twin City, have been brewing beer there for about eight years and sharing their product with friends.

“They’ve got their recipes down,” Larry Denney said.

The brewery is expected to open in 2018 and will join existing brewers Ken Monyak at Bristol Brewery on Cumberland Avenue and Erich Allen at Studio Brew on Moore Street.

The new owners believe there is enough business to go around.

“It’s so different. Each brewer has their own style and their own nuances and flavors,” she said. “People that like craft beer tend to go from spot to spot.”

Larry Denney emphasized that their plan is to make the space a “family friendly” environment where people can bring their children if they want.

“There are places in Cincinnati where you see people with their kids. It’s not going to be a bar,” Larry Denney said. “It’s a place where you can come have a beer and have a conversation.”

While the brewery will occupy the ground floor, the upper level will be available for rent as event space.

“We’ll use caterers or food trucks in the beginning, but the plan is to have a kitchen on the second floor,” Debi Denney said.

Their initial priorities are to replace the roof, windows and heating and air conditioning system. Plumbing and electrical upgrades are also needed to accommodate the brewing equipment, which must be custom-made.

Plans also include retaining and ultimately rehabilitating the iconic Hayes Furniture sign.

“Downtown is in a period of revitalization in general and we’re glad to be part of that,” Debi Denney said.

06 August, 2017