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Microbrewery gets nod from city commissioners
A new business is brewing in downtown Fort Scott.
At Tuesday’s Fort Scott City Commission meeting, Director of Economic Development Rachel Pruitt talked about a plan by Bryan and Barbara Ritter, Peggy Ritter and Mike Ritter, all of the Garland area, to start a microbrewery business in the basement of the Beaux Arts Centre, 102 S. National Ave.
Commissioners later approved the microbrewery business, which will be called the Boiler Room Brewhaus, as part of the meeting’s consent agenda.
Pruitt said the Ritters, who also operate Black Dogs Farm in Garland, have been working on the plan for the business for more than a year, and “it needs local support.” She said the microbrewery should be a draw for tourists.
“This is a big deal for tourism and economic development,” she said, adding the proposal has been “embraced locally” by Denise Duncan, owner of the Beaux Arts Centre, who was present for the meeting. “The Duncans are supporting them and helped to get them started, and they share a common goal with the tourist industry.”
Pruitt said no official approval was needed as the commission had already approved liquor licenses for various local businesses, including the microbrewery. City officials brought the proposal to the commission Tuesday to “make it public.”
“Because we think this is a big game changer for the historic downtown,” she said.
The Ritters already have a federal license and are in the process of getting a state license. Pruitt said the process for starting the business required the owners to purchase equipment, sign a lease and obtain the proper licensing.
“They have to have a significant investment before approval,” she said.
City Manager Dave Martin thanked the Ritters and Duncan for attending the meeting and their desire to invest in the community. He said much research was done on the operation of microbreweries.
“It’s been a joy to work with them both,” he said. “They’ve done their homework. We’ve been waiting for this and want to do everything we can to support them. It’s important for our growth.”
Pruitt said it is important to bring new business owners to town who “have a vision to move forward.” She said Tourism Manager Larry Gazaway played a role in the plan through networking with those involved.
Bryan Ritter, brewmaster, said patrons will be able to “see the process of beer being brewed,” as well as sample and purchase products. He said the owners will use local suppliers as much as possible for its products and plan to use honey, hops, fruit from their own farm, as well as other ingredients from local farms. Barbara said she and Bryan’s sister, Peggy, are business partners.
“They’ll be able to sample and purchase, and we’ll have beer tastings,” he said.
Bryan said brew days for the business will be Wednesdays and Thursdays, with a plan to “hopefully” be open seven days a week in the future. The objective of the business is to support tourism in the area. Peggy said they hope to be “up and running” by the end of the year.
“We want to support the town and draw tourists,” he said.
Bryan said Fort Scott has not had a brewery since 1884. The business will provide brewed craft beer and the hope is to get Fort Scott “on the map” of microbreweries across the U.S.
The Ritters said there are plans to work with local restaurants to provide food at the establishment as well as distribute its products to restaurants. In Bourbon County, there is a 30 percent food sales requirement, according to the Kansas Department of Revenue Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
“It will be the true experience of a microbrewery,” she said.
In response to a commission question, Pruitt said there are no codes or zoning issues with the building as it is already zoned for commercial use.
The next step would be consideration of an ordinance that would establish a community consumption area in the building. Pruitt said this would be brought to the commission at the next meeting.
“This is an ordinance so there would be a common consumption area between the two liquor licenses within the center,” she said.
The Beaux Arts Centre, which opened in 2016, is the outlet for the Vinedo del Alamo Winery located on Poplar Road north of Fort Scott. It is operated by Duncan and her husband, Bobby.
Second Street Park
Following a request from Martin, commissioners approved a motion to discuss the future of the city-owned Second Street Park, also known as Bridal Veil Park, at a meeting in November.
Martin was asked by a former commissioner in 2016 to research the possibility of selling the park, located in the northwest part of the city.
Martin said Tuesday he has spoken with some people connected to the history of the park, as well as members of the Historic Preservation Association of Bourbon County on the park’s “historical factor,” as well as what should be done with the park.