RICHMOND, Va. -- The news is drenching the River City; a fat, foamy head of excitement abreast stout news that Stone Brewing Company -- declared "The All-Time Top Brewery on Planet Earth" -- will build its highly coveted East Coast hub in Richmond.
Sources confirm that Richmond was the draft pick, over Norfolk and Columbus, Ohio. The San Diego-based company confirmed in June that Richmond was in the running to land the project, which includes a multi-million dollar brewery, restaurant, and retail operation.
Public Relations Specialist Sabrina LoPiccolo would not confirm news that Richmond has been officialy chosen, and only said that "once we are ready to make an announcement a news release will be sent out."
Well, we can look for that news release soon, according to our sources.
Governor Terry McAuliffe, who spoke easy as a champion of the brewery choosing the Commonwealth, just released his Thursday schedule. And sure enough it states that "Governor McAuliffe to make major economic development announcement at 2 p.m."
The brewery was initially slated to spill out over about 12 acres at the corner of Williamsburg Avenue and Nicholson Street, taking residence in Fulton Hill.
Yet, recently developers at Thalhimer Realty Partners requested a special use permit that could allow a brewery to move in to their property along Bainbridge Street in Manchester.
Stone projects revenue at its East Coast site to exceed $100 million in its fourth year and eventually reach hundreds of millions annually, according to a Richmond BizSense report.
More remains to be seen. Pull up a barstool at any of the numerous local breweries and toast to this initial news.
