Ocoee microbrewery's proximity to churches brews contention

For nearly two hours, Ocoee commissioners sat at their dais patiently listening to residents vehemently oppose a waiver request concerning the location for a planned microbrewery in downtown Ocoee.

The Toll Road Brewery, which will be located on the northwest corner of McKey Street and Cumberland Avenue and has a target grand opening for Aug. 1, 2017, was approved for the special waiver with a 4-1 vote.

The city-approved waiver allows Toll Road Brewery to be built in close proximity to four churches and mosques, despite municipal code that prohibits any establishments selling alcoholic or intoxicating beverages to be located within 1,000 feet of a church or school. 

In response, many residents, including pastors of local churches, voiced their worries about a potential increase in crime and violence the craft brewery might bring and parking issues it might cause.

“If this business must come, let it not come in our backyard where it will be encroaching on us and we’re being told our opinions don’t matter," said Angela Harris, wife of the First Baptist Church of Ocoee pastor. "I’m asking you to please uphold the ordinances of the city.”

On the other hand, about four residents, including Sean Gleason and restaurant owner Juan Rios, supported the brewery, emphasizing that Ocoee needs such businesses to boost tax revenue, attract more businesses, and make downtown Ocoee a place residents want to both hang out and spend money in.

"In terms of churches being nearby, I don't understand why that's an issue. ... A business like this should not have to run based on what a group wants them to. This is a business that will be paying taxes and they should be able to run their business the way they want. ... This is a great thing for Ocoee, and I hope you strongly consider bringing this here to make sure that Ocoee can prosper and move forward."

The trio of businessmen – Duane Morin, David Strickland and Russ Balazs – have been homebrewing together and showcasing their products in local craft beer festivals for about 12 years before deciding to open their own business. The longtime Ocoee residents chose downtown Ocoee because of the city's revitalization plans.

The initial steps toward their entrepreneurial dream have been steeped in controversy, but they firmly refuted claims their brewery would increase crime and rowdy behavior by citing statistics. They shared research asserting 47% of the U.S. craft brewery market is sustained by college-educated millennials, and assured their brewery will charge a premium for their craft beer and close early.

"We are not a bar," said Morin during public comment in the standing room only commission chambers. "We do not serve alcohol. We are not open until 2 o'clock in the morning. ...It's a premium product at a premium price. There are no happy hours. There are no $2 drinks; it's typically $6 (or more)."

The idea behind closing early and charging premium prices is to deter any undesirable type of consumers from frequenting the brewery, Morin said. He also presented facts regarding the sizable economic contribution and social benefits craft breweries reportedly bring to small communities. 

"You know, I understand their concerns," Morin said. "But like I said in the meeting, if anybody that had those concerns were to take 10 minutes of their time to Google the impact of a craft brewery on a community or if a craft brewery increases crime, they will find there's no evidence to back it up."

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Contact Gabby Baquero at [email protected]