Misfits Craft Brewery Facing Delay Over Fire Barn Deal

Those looking for a taste of a Misfits Craft Brewery beer brewed right here in downtown Oswego come October will to have wait a while longer.

Negotiations over the sale and or lease of the Old Fire Barn building on Main Street have hit a snag as the three people starting the brewery search for a way to finance the purchase of the building or to legally lease it from the .

At issue is a state statute that does not allow the fire protection district to lease a building that sells alcohol.

“We have to sell that building; we cannot lease it,” said Richard Kuhn, president of the fire protection district board. “The ball is in their court. I feel bad about it because it would be a great thing for the village. We would love to work with them in any way.”

An OFPD appraisal on the building in February showed a value of $625,000, Kuhn said. In recent months, Kuhn said the partners made an offer on the building, which the fire protection board countered. Nothing has happened regarding the sale of the land since those negotiations, Kuhn said.

Jason Thalman, one of Misfits' partners, said they currently have no firm commitments from private investors, so he’s hoping to find a way to lease the building, despite the legal hurdle. Theses issues will inevitably delay the opening of the brewery, which originally was slated for October.

“We’re looking to scale back our plans a little bit in hopes of making the project for attractive to investors,” Thalman said. “Right now, October is not realistic. I’d say the first quarter of 2013 is more likely.”

Thalman said the group has been contacted by one other local village for a possible location, but the Oswego resident has no interest in moving the project.

“I will not put a brewery anywhere else,” he said. “This is a perfect location.”

Plans for the brewery, which were , call for Misfits to brew and distribute three craft beers with a tasting room and a space for larger gatherings. No food will be prepared on site, Thalman has said. 

Village President Brian LeClercq, who fields a lot of questions from residents anxious for development in town, said he wants the project to move forward.

“I hope the parties can work it out,” he said. “The village is eager to see viable businesses opening up.”