Dancing Fox expansion to go before Lodi planners
A month after announcing major expansion plans during the annual Lodi Chamber of Commerce awards ceremony, Dancing Fox owner Greg Lewis will go before the Planning Commission to request approval of a use permit and site plan review during Wednesday’s meeting at Carnegie Forum.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Lewis plans to remove the parking lot adjacent to the restaurant, located on the south end of School Street in Downtown Lodi, to make room for a new two-story addition which will include a courtyard, outside bar, distillery, brewery, brewery seating, mezzanine for storage and private office space.
According to Lewis, the need for space played a huge role in the decision to expand.
“We’ve had a brewery now for two years. We need more room,” he said. “We currently have been doing it at our winery over at the Old Ice House Cellars, and we’re running out of room there. So, we needed more room, and we also were toying with idea, and the more we looked into it the more we wanted to go ahead and do a distillery at the same time. Then we would have all three, wine, beer and sprits, offered to our customers.”
With the expansion, Lewis said customers can expect to have more beverage options and barbecue items offered in the outside bar area. There will also be live music.
Lewis said if his request is approved Wednesday, he expects it to take three to fourth months to get the plans finalized. If so, construction should began by end of summer, he said.
“It’s going to be a great place that will certainly attract people from all over,” Lewis said.
Lodi Senior Planner Craig Hoffman agreed.
“It’s a major investment in the Downtown. I think they’re staying somewhat ahead of the curb,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman recalled that it was only a few years ago when Lewis applied for a craft beer license.
“I think what they’ve been seeing around the area and what they’re trying to stay ahead of, and it’s not just about wine. It’s not just about draft beer, but its adding other opportunities,” Hoffman said.