USA, MD: Hub City Brewing planning to open in Hagerstown soon

David Blackmon is familiar with Hagerstown from over the years, and perhaps the idea of starting a business here might not have always been appealing.

In fact, Blackmon said he probably would have declined a business deal in the city five to 10 years ago.

But something seems different now, the Herald-Mail Media reported on December 9.

The Brunswick, Md., brewery owner, who is planning to open Hub City Brewing in Hagerstown where he will also serve his products, thought about changes happening in the city:

The Hagerstown Cultural Trail, an art- and history-themed walking trail connecting Hagerstown City Park and the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts to downtown

Commercial space in the city is being gobbled up

A planned 5,000-seat stadium at Summit Avenue and West Antietam Street that will primarily serve as a minor league baseball park. Blackmon said it's a "big statement" for Hagerstown, especially since the state has already approved allocation of up to $59.5 million in bonds to pay for it.

"There's definitely energy in the air," Blackmon said of Hagerstown. "Really good vibe."

Blackmon and his son, Jake, recently talked about their plans for their brewery, distillery, winery and cidery at the City Farmers Market property at 25 W. Church St. They stood outside the market on a pleasant afternoon, beaming as they talked about their plans.

Hagerstown City Council, which tried for years to help the market through challenges, recently decided to sell the building and parking lot to Blackmon for $400,001.

Blackmon said previously he's planning to invest more than $1 million in the building, and anticipates hiring a dozen full-time workers and more than 20 part-time to help him run his business.

Settlement of the property sale is to happen on or before April 1, and Blackmon said he's hoping it will occur by the end of February.

The Blackmons talked about their plans for entertainment on the property, food offerings and how the stages of the construction will happen.

They pointed to a concrete walkway currently running along the front of the building, where the Hagerstown Fire Department administrative offices are still located. The walkway will be expanded to allow for outdoor cafe seating that will double as a stage area where live music and other entertainment can be offered.

Jake Blackmon said a 10-barrel brewhouse with a handful of fermenters will be built inside for the beer operations. A small still will be assembled initially for liquor production, he said. Although the younger Blackmon said he and his dad are whiskey fans, they will probably start producing liquor such as gin and vodka first because whiskey takes longer.

Fermenting tanks will be installed for the wine and cider operations, he said.

The duo said they plan to have a small bar inside with seating, and will arrange for food trucks offering different types of cuisine. It's hoped the Hagerstown Fire Department offices will find another location over the next few years, which will allow the Blackmons to expand into the rest of the structure.

They are still anticipating the work will take a year, and they're hoping to open to the public by the fall of next year, although Blackmon said various factors could change that, including how the COVID-19 pandemic plays out.

The project took on an unexpected life of its own when the father and son team first considered it.

David Blackmon recounted when Doug Reaser, Hagerstown's business development specialist, started taking himself, Jake and the team's brewer around town showing them possible locations for their business.

Reaser took them to the city-owned farmers market building, which the council started talking about selling last year.

Blackmon said he wasn't considering having a place to serve, only a warehouse to make his products.

Then things started to click.

First was the uniqueness of the building.

Blackmon and his son were fascinated by the space, the oldest continually operating market of its kind in Maryland. It will remain a farmers market, open Saturdays from 6 a.m. to noon, until the Blackmon's can legally take ownership of the building. The market dates to 1783.

Blackmon called it a "phenomenal space" with it's yesteryear feel, 27-foot-high ceilings and concrete floor that's developed it's own patina from years of use.

Then there was the other part of the equation.

Recent state legislation opening new opportunities for alcohol producers like Blackmon is allowing him to work toward obtaining a brewery license, winery license and distillery license from the state, said Kevin Atticks, who represents breweries, wineries and distilleries for Grow & Fortify, a resource hub that helps Maryland entrepreneurs work with regulations across the state.

Allowing a producer like Blackmon to "stack" licenses is unique for the state and a first for Washington County, Atticks said. Then Blackmon will be able to go to county authorities for other permits to sell and serve his products on site, Atticks said.

Atticks called it a "phenomenal" project for the area.

"It's going to be great for Hagerstown and Washington County," Atticks said.

Blackmon recalled the moment when he, his son and their brewer first saw the farmers market building and thought about the possibilities with Maryland's new liquor production licenses.

"We just looked at each other knowing we didn't have to go any further," he said.

Further cementing the deal was the affordability of property here, Blackmon said.

He said land prices in Frederick, Md., where he has other operations, are approaching Washington, D.C., levels. And Jake Blackmon said he is struck by the friendliness and helpfulness of people in Hagerstown.

He's not used to calling local government officials about questions for his project and "the same day getting an answer."

Council members decided to sell the building after trying to help the market as it dealt with a declining number of vendors and other challenges.

City officials said farmers market vendors will receive at least 30 days notice before the property transfers ownership. The city is offering a relocation incentive to vendors who want to stay in the city and is also looking for another site for a farmers market.

Blackmon owns Smoketown Brewing Station in Brunswick. He also has two operations in Frederick.

The company's website advertises "Smoketown Beer." The brewery was founded in 2005 when Blackmon converted a firehouse in Brunswick into a brewery and tasting room.

09 December, 2021