Winnipeg | Exchange District | Developments & Discussions

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by Ando

That is such fantastic news. It'll be the new Booze District.

As it should be!

FYI all – they did have a deal to take over 11 Lily (the old garage on James, not sure how 11 Lily is the address), but it fell through. So this is great for them. I wish someone would just buy 11 Lily, tear it down and start fresh.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by Authentic_City

^Interesting to see Nonsuch Brewing taking over the old Peg Beer space. Will they operate a restaurant as well?

They will not be opening a restaurant. Tap room only.

[Wpg_Guy]

New brew headed into former Peg Beer location
Nonsuch is the latest label to open in Winnipeg's ebb-and-flow micro-brewery marketplace
By: Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson and Nick Martin | Posted: 06/5/2018 12:51 PM

A local micro-brewery with a name that tips its hat to the replica 17th-century fur-trading ship located at the Manitoba Museum has announced it's dropping anchor in the Exchange District.

Nonsuch Brewing Co. announced in a blog post Tuesday it will be taking over the space at 125 Pacific Ave. formerly occupied by brewpub Peg Beer Co.

It's another small triumph for a craft brewing industry that's slowly grown, fallen back, and grown again to 13 brew pubs from two since 2015, said John Heim, president of the Manitoba Brewers Association.

"We're all entrepreneurs," said Heim, also the president of Torque Brewing Co., adding, with a laugh, they all get up each morning with a feeling of fear in the pits of their stomachs.

"The movement is here — it's not going to happen overnight."

Heim said eyes lit up and some small brewers drew up their business plans when the then-NDP government promised $5 million in low-interest loans, late in 2015.

"I don't know if it was a Hail Mary," said Heim. However, the brew pub loans were among hundreds of millions of dollars the NDP promised before the 2016 Manitoba election — and they disappeared when the Tories led by Premier Brian Pallister took office.

"That program came and went when the government transitioned," Heim said. "We were told it was unceremoniously cancelled."

(He said Tory Justice Minister Heather Stefanson did extend the hours and allow expanded seating capacity in tap rooms.)

In the years since, there's been no government financial assistance for small brewers, who make up $15 million of a $350-million Manitoba market: "None whatsoever — radio silence from the government," Heim said.

David von Meyenfeldt (press secretary to Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen) begged to differ.

"While we are prohibited from sharing individual taxpayer information, since May 2016, three companies in the craft brewing industry (including brew pubs and craft brewers with a tap room) have accessed the Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit, helping them raise $1.5 million in equity," von Meyenfeldt said.

He said the Tory government is raising the income limit on the small-business tax rate to $500,000 from $450,000, and has tax credits small business can use, including green energy equipment and paid work experience. There is also a working group reporting July 1 on how to enhance free trade in alcohol within Canada, von Meyenfeldt said.

Nevertheless, NDP sport, culture and heritage critic Flor Marcelino took a shot Tuesday.

"Craft beer is becoming increasingly popular in Manitoba. New breweries were popping up regularly, thanks in part to our former NDP government’s move to license taprooms and establish a loan program for new producers," she said. "We were disappointed to see the Pallister government cancel that loan program without warning or consultation after taking office.

"Cuts like these discourage craft brewers from investing in Manitoba, which means less jobs and opportunities. Manitobans deserve a government that invests in local beer and commits to growing our province instead of forcing taps to run dry."

Nonsuch has been brewing its Belgian-style beer at Barn Hammer Brewing Co. (595 Wall St.) since 2017, while searching for a space of its own.

"This summer is dedicated to developing the space... we’ll begin by configuring our brewing equipment and increasing production. With the additional capacity, we’ll be able to craft significantly more of our flagship beers and develop new products," the company's blog post says.

A tap room at the micro-brewery's new site is slated to open in the fall.

Nonsuch picked up a pair of silver medals at the Canadian Brewing Awards last month in Halifax — one for its Belgian Strong, as well as for the Lune Noire black saison, a collaboration with Barn Hammer. The brewery is the project of president Matthew Sabourin, vice-president Ben Myers, head brewer Mark Borowski and brand manager Tyler Johnston.

After opening in April 2016, as part of the first wave of local craft breweries and brew pubs, Peg Beer Co. abruptly closed its doors in February. Kilter Brewing, currently brewing at One Great City Brewing Co. on Ness Avenue, last month saw its lease fall through on a Sherbrook Street space.

[email protected]

[email protected]

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/busine...ke-brewery-docking-nearby-484607553.html

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by trueviking

They will not be opening a restaurant. Tap room only.

It says on the website there is going to be food.

[Wpg_Guy]

http://www.nonsuch.beer/dropping-anchor

SO WHAT’S NEXT?
This summer is dedicated to developing the space into the home we’ve always dreamt of – we’ll begin by configuring our brewing equipment and increasing production. With the additional capacity we’ll be able to craft significantly more of our flagship beers and develop new products. The taproom will open to the public in the fall once we’ve had time to realize our vision (with the help of Fireside Design) and explore food options. We're creating a space unlike any other in Winnipeg, built around the ideal beer-drinking experience. Something to make all Manitobans proud.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by buzzg

It says on the website there is going to be food.

Yeah. I think it’s a rule isn’t it? A friend of mine is one of the Nonsuch guys and he said they are not interested in opening a restaurant.

To me that would be fatal. The restaurant business is something completely different than the brewing biz. Pretty high rates of failure. Hard enough to get one to succeed. Never mind both.

That was the issue I had with Peg. Food wasn’t really special enough to get me there for dinner and the atmosphere was not a pub, or somewhere I would go just for beers. If I wanted beer I’d go to a pub. If I wanted dinner I’d go to a better restaurant.

[DavefromSt.Vital]

Was at Torque's taproom recently. Was not upset that they just had popcorn and snacks. I wanted to try their beer, not have a meal.

[buzzg]

Not sure if anyone saw but Singleton’s recently rebranded as Singleton’s Hair Co. and is trying to be very hipster now. They’re opening this summer in one of the main floor CRUs in the District Condos building on Market - just down from Prairie Architects.

Opinions of the business aside (lol) it’s a good sign the a bigger chain is moving down there. They could stay afloat of SkipTheDishes alone hahaha

Originally Posted by trueviking

Yeah. I think it’s a rule isn’t it? A friend of mine is one of the Nonsuch guys and he said they are not interested in opening a restaurant.

To me that would be fatal. The restaurant business is something completely different than the brewing biz. Pretty high rates of failure. Hard enough to get one to succeed. Never mind both.

That was the issue I had with Peg. Food wasn’t really special enough to get me there for dinner and the atmosphere was not a pub, or somewhere I would go just for beers. If I wanted beer I’d go to a pub. If I wanted dinner I’d go to a better restaurant.

Originally Posted by DavefromSt.Vital

Was at Torque's taproom recently. Was not upset that they just had popcorn and snacks. I wanted to try their beer, not have a meal.

This is all fair but with PEG they just didn’t know how to run a business, especially of that type. They put themselves into huge debt early on by going all-in on equipment from the start instead of scaling up slowly like most others. Also every time I was there the service was horrific, and it doesn’t help when the owner has previously burned a ton of bridges in the industry.

There are a ton of examples of brewpubs everywhere, including here that do exceptionally well. Dave, no one is forcing you to eat at a brewpub.

Just wanna clarify I think taprooms are awesome, but brewpubs are definitely possible to work well too haha.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Not sure if anyone saw but Singleton’s recently rebranded as Singleton’s Hair Co. and is trying to be very hipster now. They’re opening this summer in one of the main floor CRUs in the District Condos building on Market - just down from Prairie Architects.

Opinions of the business aside (lol) it’s a good sign the a bigger chain is moving down there. They could stay afloat of SkipTheDishes alone hahaha

That's a perfect type of normal neighbourhood amenity that the Exchange needs more of. To now most of the hair salons in that area have been aiming at the higher end (the now-defunct Vault Hair, Aveda, Berns & Black)... having a normal place to get a haircut is the type of thing that helps the Exchange cover the bases that residents and others in the area are looking for.

As for Singleton's identity, looks like they've freshened it up a bit... good for them. Their old look was pretty outdated, which is not something you really want when you're in a business that is about looks and image.

[Urban recluse]

Great news.

[1ajs]

ok that will make me wonder down from up north to check out i still have 7 bottles of their saison

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by esquire

That's a perfect type of normal neighbourhood amenity that the Exchange needs more of. To now most of the hair salons in that area have been aiming at the higher end (the now-defunct Vault Hair, Aveda, Berns & Black)... having a normal place to get a haircut is the type of thing that helps the Exchange cover the bases that residents and others in the area are looking for.

As for Singleton's identity, looks like they've freshened it up a bit... good for them. Their old look was pretty outdated, which is not something you really want when you're in a business that is about looks and image.

Exactly. When "regular" shops and services, especially big names/chains move it – it's a sign the area is progressing and attractive.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by esquire

That's a perfect type of normal neighbourhood amenity that the Exchange needs more of. To now most of the hair salons in that area have been aiming at the higher end (the now-defunct Vault Hair, Aveda, Berns & Black)... having a normal place to get a haircut is the type of thing that helps the Exchange cover the bases that residents and others in the area are looking for.

As for Singleton's identity, looks like they've freshened it up a bit... good for them. Their old look was pretty outdated, which is not something you really want when you're in a business that is about looks and image.

my wife worked for them for 15+ years (left 8 yrs ago), nice to see them changing. students like "reasonable" price h/c, not everyone can afford the $45 men's cuts at many salons.

[optimusREIM]

Originally Posted by DavefromSt.Vital

Was at Torque's taproom recently. Was not upset that they just had popcorn and snacks. I wanted to try their beer, not have a meal.

Liquid supper, I prefer to call it.

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by wags_in_the_peg

my wife worked for them for 15+ years (left 8 yrs ago), nice to see them changing. students like "reasonable" price h/c, not everyone can afford the $45 men's cuts at many salons.

Exactly, but they're also image-conscious and don't want to feel like they're going to the Walmart of salons.

[cllew]

City has RFP out for sale of Pantages Theatre.

Closes Friday, August 31, 2018
Bid Opportunity No. Description

195-2018 Request for Proposal to Purchase the City-Owned Property Located at 180 Market Avenue, Commonly known as The Pantages Playhouse Theatre.
Note: Two Open Houses to view the property are as follows: June 26, 2018 between 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.; and July 9, 2018 between 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

http://www.winnipeg.ca/MatMgt/FolderContents.asp?FOLDER_NAME=195-2018&YEAR=2018

[esquire]

^ I don't recall that being on the table?

[DavefromSt.Vital]

Originally Posted by optimusREIM

Liquid supper, I prefer to call it.

Actually, we were staying at the Hilton across the street and my wife and son are early to bed types. As I am a notorious couche tard this was more of a liquid dessert experience.

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by cllew

City has RFP out for sale of Pantages Theatre.

Closes Friday, August 31, 2018
Bid Opportunity No. Description

195-2018 Request for Proposal to Purchase the City-Owned Property Located at 180 Market Avenue, Commonly known as The Pantages Playhouse Theatre.
Note: Two Open Houses to view the property are as follows: June 26, 2018 between 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.; and July 9, 2018 between 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

http://www.winnipeg.ca/MatMgt/FolderContents.asp?FOLDER_NAME=195-2018&YEAR=2018

Is this just a formality before WSO buys it out. And maybe builds the expansion...?

[cllew]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Is this just a formality before WSO buys it out. And maybe builds the expansion...?

I was thinking that Shindico and Capstan could to do a joint venture with it, but the WSO makes more sense.