Spencer Devon Brewing received a $27,000 Virginia Tourism Growth Fund grant to build a 2,000-square-foot deck along the south side of the business’s building.
That state grant secures a local $27,000 grant for the project from the Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority, which awarded the money in August 2016, contingent on matching funds from the state.
“It gives my business a face on Caroline Street, and uses that long vacant property in an effective way for the city,” said Spencer Devon owner Shawn Phillips. Spencer Devon is located at 106 George St.
Phillips said the deck will be a community space. “I can’t fully engage customers with my kitchen in that space, so if people go to another restaurant downtown that doesn’t have outdoor seating, they can bring their meal and drink my beer,” he said.
The Fredericksburg Area Woodworker’s Guild is building the deck and the seating.
The grant announcement was made December 12, 2016, by Fredericksburg Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Virginia Tourism Corporation Director of Business Development Wirt Confroy, Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority Chairperson Amy LaMarca, President and CEO of the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild Brett Vassey, and Director of Economic Development and Tourism Bill Freehling.
The artwork now hanging on the fence along the Caroline Street end of the vacant lot will be returned to the owners, or hung on the deck, Phillips said.
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