Brewery Could Open In Woodstock During The Summer

A Cherokee County-based brewery could open up near downtown Woodstock by the summer.

Representatives with Reformation Brewery spoke with members of the Woodstock Downtown Development Authority on Thursday about their plans to open in the city.

The company was at the meeting to request the DDA change the downtown area's boundary lines to include property they plan to utilize for their business, which was approved unanimously by the board. 

The change was needed so the company can be eligible to receive a Downtown Development Revolving Loan from the state Department of Community Affairs.

The loan, which is capped at $250,000, can be used by cities, counties and development authorities to revitalize their downtown areas "by providing below-market rate financing to fund capital projects in core historic downtown areas and adjacent historic neighborhoods," according to DCA's website. 

The company plans to relocate into a facility off Arnold Mill Way. 

The DDA also approved reimbursing Hot Dog Heaven $3,297.82 for the work it did the facade on its outdoor patio and tabled until its February meeting Freight Kitchen & Tap's application for a facade grant. 

It also approved the replacement of the kitchen floor at Magnolia Thomas Restaurant. The DDA, which owns the building the restaurant operates in, estimates the floor's replacement to be around $19,000. 

City Manager Jeff Moon informed the board he plans to start interviewing for the director of economic services position in late January or early next month. That position, formerly held by Billy Peppers, also served as the executive director of the DDA.