NEWFANE — A local business owner has been given the go-ahead to begin development on what will be the town’s sole distillery.
Four Kings Distillery, 2712 West Ave., will be housed in a building on the 15-acre site that was once home to the former Lockport Felt Company and currently hosts the Forest Creek Business Park.
“The building is 140 years old and we’re revitalizing a small part of it,” property owner Michael Outten said.
The 6,000-square-foot space will host a tasting room, distilling plant, a barrel storage room and other such amenities. The new distillery will manufacture about 100 barrels per year of spirits such as whiskey, bourbon, vodka and gin.
“I’ve always just wanted to manufacture something. That’s just been a lifelong dream and I bought this facility 20 years ago, and it was a manufacturing facility as Lockport Felt,” Outten said.
Outten estimated that the business could open sometime in November.
The town planning board approved the site plan review for Outten’s business and granted him a special use exemption permit at its June 25 meeting.
Board Chairperson Bill Clark said that while some town residents did voice concerns about the distillery when it was proposed, it was overall supported by residents and the board alike.
“There was general support for the business and what he’s trying to do there. Some of the residents had some concern about whether there’ll be any offsite impacts that might affect their properties. He seemed to assure them that would not be the case,” Clark said.