The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Brew Mentor expansion is on tap
Permits approved for addition, patio service
Expansion plans for The Brew Mentor are proceeding.
Mentor Planning Commission recently approved two conditional-use permits and a preliminary site plan for the project at 9528 Diamond Centre Drive.
The permits are required to allow outdoor dining or drinking, and for a bar, cocktail lounge or nightclub on premises.
Business owners Brian Seelinger and John Mack propose constructing a 980-square-foot addition to the rear of the existing building, just west of Steak & Shake.
The plan is to add a bar/tasting room and outside patio to the beer and wine home brewing supply shop, which currently offers a small tasting area.
Online shopping has put a dent in the business’s retail supply sales, but the
sale of finished products is growing, Seelinger said. The addition would entail separating the two sides onsite.
“That would allow us to move our current retail into the new space and then that would open up the front to be a larger tap room and tasting area, and then also a banquet and event area where we could do rental of that space for parties or showers during non-business hours,” he said, adding that it would provide seating capacity for 70 people.
Mentor resident Gerald Modica spoke in favor of the proposal. He said he is a frequent customer.
“The only reason I wanted to say something is that they provide a unique service,” he said, acknowledging that the supplies are available on the Internet.
“Yeah, Amazon is quick, but no one you talk to on the phone really knows how these things all come together and how it’s done. And what’s unique about this location is that, if they weren’t there, my options are either go online or drive over to the west side to the Cleveland Brewhouse, and they sell the same things.
“This additional space is going to allow people to come in and interact … and they also have an opportunity to talk to one another and share ideas on how they’re brewing beer or making wine.”
Commission member Joseph Sidoti asked Seelinger for feedback on the traffic situation. The latter opposed the Taco Bell project on Diamond Centre because of congestion around his business.
Seelinger said it may be too early to get the full picture, but said many motorists ignore efforts to funnel the traffic through the parking lot in an orderly fashion and that it often backs up from the light in front of his business.
He inquired about additional signage that would warn drivers not to block his driveway. There also was discussion about eliminating a cross-access easement that enables traffic from Steak & Shake to affect the property.
Law Director Joseph Szeman said the easement was created with a holistic approach to the development area and would need to be reconsidered in such a way.
Commission members took issue with materials proposed for the addition and are requiring the business owners to use some form of masonry. This was over the objections of Seelinger, who said it would be impossible to match the original brick.
The applicants initially said they do not intend to increase production above the 30 barrels per year permitted under a permit issued in 2016. However, at the Nov. 29 meeting, Seelinger indicated he would seek an amendment to the permit to increase that amount.
The proposed hours of operation are 4 p.m. to midnight Wednesdays through Saturdays for the tasting room and retail hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.