Grain Dealers Brewery secures new base of production on historic Erwin Mill property

By Faith Hatton, posted Sep 1, 2023 on BizFayetteville.com

The 6,000 sq. ft. of space, previously used as a cotton storage warehouse will be the Brewery's base of production.

The team with Grain Dealers Brewery are anticipating a move in a day for their brand new home of production located within the historic Erwin Mill property.

Officially located at 100 North 13th St in Erwin, the Brewery will occupy buildings J, K, and buildings 12,13 and 14 along with the middle corridor.

Grain Dealers Brewery CEO Wesley Johnson shared that while the Erwin spot will be the anchor for production for GDB, there are still plans to bring a taproom to Erwin’s neighbors, the City of Dunn. Johnson said it was important to keep the promise to his public investors to bring a new entertainment space to Dunn, with more than 70 percent of funds raised coming from Dunn residents.

“The intentions are still to go to Dunn, but this opportunity arose sooner,” shared Johnson. “So while we're working on the site in Dunn, which is currently owned by the City of Dunn, we got an opportunity here to be an anchor here. So we're going to put the brewhouse here with the taproom where it could serve here, but the production will be here and the intentions for the other site, assuming everything goes well with the City, will be to have our Taproom there with a restaurant and entertainment venue.”

GDB CEO Wesley Johnson shared that this new location is meant to showcase the connection between the two municipalities, not foster competition.

Grain Dealers Brewery shared on social media that the as-built plans are complete and the development checklist has been detailed out, meaning they are ready to move on to the next steps of filling the 6,000 sq ft of space, previously used as a cotton storage warehouse, with brewing equipment, tables, taps, and more.

Johnson shared that early plans include having food options available and public pedestrian space in the middle corridor which can be used to host entertainment such as live music and give the residents of Erwin a new outdoor venue space to enjoy.

One of the unique things about the property, Johnson shared, is that about five miles away is the Dunn-Erwin railroad trail which connects to the other GDB site planned in Dunn, which he said adds an element of fun for future events and activities that could be held by the Brewery in the future to connect the two communities.

The Brewery will occupy buildings J, K, and buildings 12,13 and 14 along with the middle corridor.

Johnson also shared that this new location is meant to showcase the connection between the two municipalities, not foster competition.

Johnson shared that the next steps include finalizing the layout and getting the remaining permits while also not losing focus on the Dunn site and moving forward in a multi-phased approach.

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