85 Lake Shore Drive, Dunkirk

A unique craft brewery is being proposed in Dunkirk.

On Tuesday, the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency board heard a presentation from Cory Clark, Megalomania LLC. owner, about his idea for a non-malt derived hard soda and seltzer craft brewery. He said his new business would produce three beverages, which includes one non-alcoholic drink. He added the craft beer industry hasn’t really focused on seltzers, hard root beer or ciders.

Clark is originally from Portland, N.Y., and had been living in Seattle, Wash., before returning home. He said he wants to start the business with his brother, who has experience working at a brewery.

“I heard about Fredonia and Dunkirk,” Clark said. “We found a place on the lake that we like across from the park.”

Clark said he wants the business to be open by May or June of next year, which is pending federal and state licensing and permitting for the commencement of alcohol production. He said the business would employee 12 to 15 workers at first and more as the business grows. He added there will be a beer garden during the summer that will be covered during winter months.

At this point, the craft brewery doesn’t have a name, Clark said. The business will have a restaurant, but won’t feature a full menu. He said the food will consist of Asian and Cuban food.

Clark was joined by Rebecca Wurster, Dunkirk director of planning and development, who said Dunkirk city officials have been looking to help start a craft brewery in the city.

Kristine Morabito, IDA business development manager, said the $100,000 Al Tech Revolving Loan Fund the board approved will be for 15 years at 4% interest. She said the majority of the loan will go toward real estate acquisition of 85 Lake Shore Drive West, which is the former location of Fastenal. The funding will also go toward renovations, brewing equipment, kitchen/cooking equipment and furniture. She added the location is properly zoned for a brewery.

“I am so grateful for the IDA, city of Dunkirk and everyone who has believed in me and my concept,” Clark said. “I’ve worked hard to develop these products and flavors for years, and I can’t wait to share them with the people of Dunkirk and Western New York.”

In other IDA business, Linda Burns, IDA business development manager, discussed the proposal of Mark Graham to open a small grocery store in Sherman called Graham’s Market. Burns said Graham and his family have been involved in the small grocery store business for three generations.

According to a news release by the IDA, Graham has been trying to acquire a market in Sherman for the last three years, and after extensive contract negations, he was able to reach a purchase agreement with the Mack family, who were the previous owners.

Graham’s Market was originally opened in 1969 in Sherman and was previously known as a Quality Market. The business ran successfully for 30 years, but closed due to Penn Traffic’s bankruptcy. In 2004, Jeff and Jody Mack purchased and ran the market until 2018 when it closed due to personal reasons. Since its shutdown, Sherman has been considered a food desert with the closest stores offering fresh produce more than 9 miles away. With a large population of senior citizens and young families, all with limited access to transportation, the community is lacking access to nutritional food choices, IDA officials said.

Colleen Meeder, Sherman village mayor, stated that residents have been urging the village to take action towards getting the grocery store reopened. Mark D. Persons, Sherman town supervisor, and Debra Sanders, Sherman Chamber of Commerce president, also communicated that merchants have noticed a marked decrease in foot and vehicle traffic to local businesses as a result of the closing of the market, which has been a huge detriment to the village.

“It is my desire to utilize my managerial skills, service experience and previous involvement in the grocery industry to provide the much needed services of a butchery, grocery, and local produce store here in my hometown of Sherman,” Graham said.“Having managed my own business for the last 38 years, I have developed skills in dealing with the public, overseeing employees, and managing stock.”

The IDA board approved a $50,000 Chautauqua Revolving Loan Fund for Graham.