Dancing Fox expansion has begun and good spirits are in the making
Phase 1 of the Dancing Fox expansion project has begun. A two-story structure has gone up behind the existing facility at School and Locust.
The new building will be used for shipping and receiving operations, as well as a new milling room, where they process the grains used in their beer production, says owner Gregg Lewis. He says they will also open a new distillery in the building, enabling them to produce spirits such as gin, vodka, brandy and whiskeys.
The entire project includes a new brewery, distillery, tasting room, outside courtyard, bar, food service structure and offices. Phase 2 calls for new buildings to be built where the parking lot is now. However, Lewis isn’t entirely sure phase 2 will even happen. He says the whole project was put on hold because of COVID-19, but now building costs have skyrocketed and his initial bids have to be refreshed. He says he’s “playing it by ear,” but adds, “We’re not going to be stupid about it.”
He says he should know in a couple months whether the second phase will happen, or not.
BUILDING CONT’D: The proposed Lakehouse development on the corner of Turner and Lower Sacramento Road is moving along, says architect John Vierra. The environmental impact report is done and he expects the public reviews to happen this fall. Groundbreaking should happen in 2023. The property is owned by local vineyardist Celia Hung, who also owns the Woodbridge Mobile Home Park on the other side of Woodbridge Cemetery. Plans for the mobile home park aren’t yet known, but expiring pad leases aren’t being renewed, says Vierra. The Lakehouse development, if approved, will include a highend hotel, apartments, commercial space, and a restaurant. … In case you haven’t traveled Lodi Avenue lately, the old Alexander’s Bakery building has been demo’d to make way for a new commercial structure, which will house a new French bakery and bar. It’s all part of the grand Sunset Theater renovation that owner Terry Clark is doing. Alexander’s closed decades ago and the building has sat vacant for as long. The building was once home of the Sunset Market back in the ‘50s and ‘60s . ... The Corner Scone Bakery will not be opening a second location on School Street next to Papapavlo’s, after all. According to an employee, “it just didn’t pan out.” Earlier, the bakery was seeking donations via GoFundMe to help pay for a new range hood at the new place. Those who donated will receive refunds, we’re told.
FIRE UPDATE: The fire that roared through the strip mall at Pioneer and Cherokee Lane a few weeks ago reportedly started in the attic of the church there. According to Interim Fire Chief Ron Penix,
“It appears to have started in the attic above the kitchen/storage area (of the church). The fire appears to have been unintentional and the cause is undetermined,” says Penix. The fire broke out on Easter morning at 5, according to the fire department. It gutted four units in the small strip mall, which reportedly included the church and a pre-school.
ON THE RECORD :As the country comes to grips with the recent murder conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Police Derek Chauvin, Lodi Police Chief Sierra Brucia shares his thoughts. “I have faith that the jurors heard the evidence and made the correct decision based on the facts presented to them.” But he also emphasizes that he and his colleagues in blue have no use for bad cops, either. “Those of us in law enforcement are just as interested in removing officers from our ranks who don’t serve with empathy, compassion, and have their community’s interests at heart. Law enforcement officers have a responsibility to act with integrity, character, and a moral compass even during split second decisions,” says Brucia. “I hope our communities across the country know that officers who violate (the) public trust and their oaths of office will be held accountable for their actions, especially if they commit crimes or use excessive or unreasonable force,” Brucia says.
WATER WORRIES: It’s been a drier-than-normal winter, and with all the building going on in Lodi, some people are worried it will lead to a water shortage and rationing. Stay calm. There is no water shortage here--yet. And there are currently no plans to institute water rationing, according to Public Works Director Charlie Swimley.
“At this time, we are not expecting any surface water curtailments from Woodbridge Irrigation District (WID) and our groundwater supply remains sound,” says Swimley.
The city draws about half its water from the Mokelumne River and the rest from the underground basin. But the real story is the success of the city’s water meter program. Swimley says, citywide, water consumption has dropped 11.4 percent since 2013, thanks to the meters. “The majority of our residential customers are now on water meters and have more control over their usage / bill,” he says.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Mike and Dave Phillips have expanded their grape and wine empire into Sonoma County. Dave and Mike’s kids recently opened North Coast Wine Company, located near Geyserville, just off Highway 101. The Phillips family bought the old Silver Oak Winery and turned it into a business which is now operated by their kids. Dave Phillips says the new enterprise represents the 6th generation of the Phillips family.
Their new wine label is “Outerbound,” and they are only bottling about 5,000 cases right now. Dave says the new wine is currently distributed in 10 states, but you won’t find it offered at the Michael David Winery. He says the plan is to keep it separate from their Lodi winery. … Klinker Brick Winery’s assistant winemaker Chris Rivera has gone out on his own, creating a new label called “Seis Soles.” Rivera has produced five wines so far, which are only available for purchase online. This year marks his second vintage, but he’s only bottled 100 cases of each wine. His first vintage sold out fast. Fans describe the wines as “handcrafted, somewhat one-ofa-kind.” Rivera says he will hand-deliver orders in and around Lodi, or ship, or arrange for pickup in Lodi.
THE LIST: The city is sending out its business license compliance squad to contact businesses that are operating without a current business license. According to the city manager’s office, they will “reach out directly to businesses in Lodi to ensure they are following municipal code guidelines” … and collect the associated taxes beginning May 1. Besides receiving the cash, the city says it wants to ensure all businesses are operating on a level playing field. … When will the wooden hose tower at the old Main Street fire station (which we wrote about recently) be torn down? City officials say it will come down sometime in July. An engineer is designing a demo plan for it now.
TAKING ROOT: This Saturday, May 1, Tree Lodi will partner with the city of Lodi to celebrate Arbor Day at Glaves Park on Oxford Way, behind St. Peter’s Church. There will be refreshments, tree planting demonstrations, seedling giveaways, and a chance to help plant eight new trees at the park.
——— Steve is a former newspaper publisher and lifelong Lodian whose column appears most Tuesdays in the News-Sentinel. Write to Steve at aboutlodi@gmail.com.