278 replies to this topic

[Mr Cook Street]

Pretty sure the whole space is City property that is leased to the rental agency.

So when is the city going to put up the rental agency site for market sounding? Great location!

[VicHockeyFan]

http://www.timescolo...loser-1.1428217

 

 

A new Victoria distillery that will create 80 new jobs for the region is a step closer to reality with a $2.37-million commitment from the federal government.

The Victoria Caledonian Distillery now has the money needed to find a location and begin production, said Graeme Macaloney, president of Macaloney Brewers and Distillers......

 

But first, Macaloney needs to find a suitable site. “I would say I’m in active discussion at all levels with the [City of Victoria] and other jurisdictions on the Saanich Peninsula,” he said.

Macaloney said he is looking at sites with between 25,000 and 30,000 square feet of space.

The Crystal Garden building in downtown Victoria has been suggested as a possiblity, he said. The City of Victoria is exploring options for leasing the site.

 

 

 

 

http://macaloneydist...com/management/

[Mr Cook Street]

http://www.timescolo...loser-1.1428217

 

 

 

 

http://macaloneydist...com/management/

Awesome!

[VicHockeyFan]

Why would you not just make this stuff in a warehouse?  Unless tours and events are very lucrative.  Hmmmm, maybe they could be.

 

Category 12 beer is being made in a Keating warehouse.

 

[Holden West]

^Wow, looks like some slick businessmen that know how to play the game. I think they intend that every tourist that walks by the Crystal Garden eventually ends up with a bottle in their luggage. Harold, you don't even drink scotch! I don't know, Mabel, I just poked my head in and next thing you know I'm on a tour.

Edited by Holden West, 16 October 2014 - 09:52 AM.

[Mr Cook Street]

I think the tourism component is key. On their website they talk about distillery tourism and how that helps build brand loyalty.

[VicHockeyFan]

Maybe the Maritime Museum building, it's ground zero between 5 or 6 of the busiest pubs in town.

[lanforod]

I don't know about distillery tourism being a huge thing unless there is a certain drink history or location significance. For example, there is lots of Rum factory tours all over the Caribbean, and wine tours in major wine areas like Napa, Niagara and the Okanagan. What does Victoria have? Craft beer... eh, i dunno.

[vicernie]

the mayor says that the CG allows the convention centre to go after bigger conventions. most conventions book years in advance. won't talk of a change in the purpose of the CG hinder the marketing of the convention centre?

[HB]

I looked at a GIS map online and it shows clearly what i mentioned above but i suppose the goverment got it wrong it happens

[Mike K.]

This explains why Roundhouse suddenly starting writing up an application to the City to allow distillery use. They knew this was coming way before the idea of returning the CG to the private market was even brought up.

 

And Roundhouse is moving on their restoration phase fairly soon, so this could all line up relatively well for a distillery. 

[Danma]

I don't know about distillery tourism being a huge thing unless there is a certain drink history or location significance. For example, there is lots of Rum factory tours all over the Caribbean, and wine tours in major wine areas like Napa, Niagara and the Okanagan. What does Victoria have? Craft beer... eh, i dunno.

 

I think that there is potential, particularly as a guy-friendly alternative for cruise ship passenger activities. Furthermore, I've had more than one friend from Alberta come out to do the craft beer tour; they would totally eat up a whisky distillery tour. The okanagan didn't become known for wine until the wineries were built, and the same logic applies here. I think it's a great idea!

[Nparker]

I still say "Crystal Casino".

[LJ]

They bought the Empress and the Empress owned the bus depot. That's right, isn't it?
 

Ah, so the bus depot is not going anywhere then?

[LJ]

I think the tourism component is key. On their website they talk about distillery tourism and how that helps build brand loyalty.

But tours are usually free so they wont make money on that end, they would have to sell each tourist a bottle or two to make any money.

[dasmo]

This is fantastic news! Along with Victoria Spirits this could become a thing to do, Vancouver island distillery tour! 

[Mike K.]

Ah, so the bus depot is not going anywhere then?

Good question. maybe a better facility could be built.

[Nparker]

...maybe a better facility could be built.

It would be quite a feat to build a worse facility than the current bus depot.

[Holden West]

We just did a Cowichan Valley winery tour and you should see the auxiliary stuff they sell on the side, bistro food, glassware, local food products like honey, tea and sauces, aprons--it goes on and on. I can see a distillery in the Crystal Garden doing the same thing. They could do an afternoon tea that would be a cheaper, hipper version of what the Empress does.

 

A distillery wouldn't take over the main part of the CG, there would still be the City's convention centre, right?

[G-Man]

Weddings are a big thing for Wineries I would expect that this could be a destination for that as well. There is a pretty impressive distillery in Campbell River that hosts big events in their kettle room. http://www.shelterpointdistillery.com/