Canton cafe owners plan to open new microbrewery

CANTON — Owners of a downtown cafe plan to open a microbrewery that would produce several varieties of locally crafted beers they hope to sell at stores and restaurants.

Kenneth M. and Katrina G. Hebb, owners of Blackbird Cafe, 107 Main St., are working with a group of investors to tap into the growing demand for microbrewed beer products.

They hope to open the Big Dipper Brewing Co. in early 2013. The venture would be St. Lawrence County’s first microbrewery.

The Hebbs have gained a sense of which brews customers favor because their cafe sells a variety of beers.

“I’ve been seeing what people like and don’t like,” Mr. Hebb said Monday. “I guess I want to join the game. It’s fun.”

The plan calls for leasing about 3,000 square feet of space from the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency, which plans to build a multiuse light industrial park later this year on the western edge of the village.

The IDA is taking steps to develop 22 acres of land it owns off Commerce Lane between the St. Lawrence County jail and Triple A Building Center.

Patrick J. Kelly, IDA chief executive officer, said plans are preliminary, but construction of the new commercial park might start in the spring and finish in the fall.

“We’ve had a number of discussions with Ken. He seems to be developing a well thought-out and exciting business plan,” Mr. Kelly said. “Having a potential tenant for a potential building project is obviously appealing for us.”

The microbrewery plant would house production equipment including 500-gallon and 1,000-gallon stainless steel tanks. The plant would produce four or five different varieties, including one that uses locally produced maple syrup.

“The production equipment is fairly expensive,” Mr. Hebb said, estimating that startup costs will be in the $400,000 to $500,000 range. “We plan to start with three to four employees and grow that to 15 employees within five years.”

A microbrewery is different from a microbrew pub, which usually includes a restaurant where customers gather to drink beer and eat.

Mr. Hebb said he favors a microbrewery because he already operates a restaurant and wants the new business to focus on producing beer rather than food.

The microbrewery would sell draft and bottled beer and be open for public tours. A wholesaler would distribute the products locally as well as to larger population markets such as the Central New York and New York City regions.

“The demand for craft-brewed beer is huge. It outstrips what can be supplied,” Mr. Hebb said. “The market conditions are good and there is room for a new entry.”

According to his research, sales of craft beer have increased 10 percent to 15 percent annually for the past several years, while sales have fallen for large-scale national brands.

“I think there is an increased awareness of the quality and craftsmanship that goes into beer making,” Mr. Hebb said. “I think the buy-local movement is also playing a role.”

Prior to moving to the north country in 2001, the Hebbs lived in Colorado.

Mr. Hebb received his master’s degree in business administration from Clarkson University, Potsdam, in 2007. The couple opened the Blackbird Cafe that year and now live in the town of Hermon.

Mr. Hebb said he’s been experimenting with home brewing for several years.

“I don’t know how to make a single-malt scotch, so we’re going for beer,” he said. “Home brewing is a pretty big hobby. It’s more popular than you might think.”