Bear Island Brewing, also known as “Boise Biggest Little Brewery,” is hoping to expand out of their two-car garage to the former Firehouse #6 in Boise.
“We were first responders in the Navy and so of course we love our fireman and our police officers and all of our first responders, and so we can't wait to highlight that and this building is literally the building to do that in,” Bear Island Brewing owner Beth Bechtel said.
Bear Island Brewing has operated out of their two-car garage for the past three years. A space that could soon be getting a lot bigger
“We really have enjoyed the support and now we're going to get to see them and serve them face-to-face,” Bechtel said. “We already work with community partners, like Boise Beer Buddies, and Mission 43, and local lavender at Red Chair, etc., but we’re going to have more of a hub to do that more efficiently.”
Bear Island still must get the keys to the old firehouse and finalize financing, but the brewery took a big step forward this week when Boise City Council approved their plan to turn the firehouse into a brewery and taproom.
“It was a huge weight lifted off because we've been working so hard at this and this is literally the seventh building that we've worked on getting,” Bechtel said. “I don't foresee any problems going forward, but until we have the keys. We don't make it official.”
The brewery hopes to turn their old stomping grounds, Bechtel attended Capitol High School which is in the area, into a community gathering place.
“We're going to work with the city's Energize Our Neighborhood Project to really, not only have our firehouse be amazing and do well, but the surrounding neighborhood,” Bechtel said.
Boise Fire Station #6 was in operation from 1964 to 1991 when it was then relocated to Franklin Road. In 2013, a private citizen purchased the old firehouse, after it sat vacant for several years, and turned it into a fitness community center.
“This is kind of the forgotten land out here,” Mark Johnson, who lives in the area said.
Land many of those who live in the area hope can be revitalized with the possibility of a new business moving in.
“The neighborhood is a little older, couple run down places here and there, hopefully it brings it together,” Sean Tucker, who lives in the area said.
“We need more happy people in this neighborhood. We need more commerce too,” Johnson said.
A brewery that hopes to literally become a part of the neighborhood.
“The back building we're going to renovate and move in. I mean we already like living at our brewery right, so we might as well continue that,” Bechtel said.
The brewery hopes to open their taproom at 1620 N. Liberty Street by the end of the year.
The craft beer scene in Idaho brings in hundreds of millions of dollars each year; over the last five years, the number of breweries has more than doubled in the Gem State.