Empire State Development and the City of Ogdensburg announced on May 18 the groundbreaking for Small City Brewing Company, a new craft brewery set to open in downtown Ogdensburg. The project will transform a vacant 4,700-square-foot building at 110 Lake Street into a beer manufacturing facility with a taproom, outdoor seating, and an event space. Completion is expected in spring or summer of 2027.
The development is significant as it aims to revitalize the Marina District by repurposing unused property into a destination for both residents and visitors. It will be one of only a few breweries in St. Lawrence County and the only one located in Ogdensburg.
“The groundbreaking of Small City Brewing Company is a major step forward in advancing the development of Ogdensburg’s Marina District,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. “By transforming a long-vacant building into a vibrant destination for craft beer and community events, we are activating the waterfront through the kind of adaptive reuse that welcomes residents and visitors and drives economic growth. Through the Restore New York program, Empire State Development is proud to support the City’s efforts to eliminate blight and create new opportunities.”
The nearly $1.4 million project includes installing a commercial-grade five-barrel brewing system, adding a dedicated grain room, opening an on-site retail tasting room with kitchen facilities, and creating space for events. Empire State Development provided $914,335 in Restore New York IX grant funding to support this initiative.
City of Ogdensburg Mayor Michael Tooley said, “This is another exciting day for the City of Ogdensburg as we celebrate the groundbreaking of Small City Brewing Company. Bill Hosmer and his family continue to play a significant role in the development of the city’s Marina District into a tourism destination benefiting our economy… The Restore New York grant supporting Small City Brewing Company’s venture, and the recent $10 million DRI award by Governor Hochul, demonstrates the state’s confidence that the City of Ogdensburg is a community on the rise and heading to a prosperous future.” Partner Bill Hosmer added: “We’re very excited to partner on this project as we continue to redevelop… We hope this investment enhances the community and drives tourism… We are thankful for the state for helping make this project reality with Restore grant investment!”
Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that Ogdensburg will receive $10 million from round nine of New York’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), which supports further revitalization efforts across communities like those seen with Small City Brewing Company’s redevelopment.
The Restore New York Communities Initiative provides financial assistance aimed at eliminating blighted structures while encouraging neighborhood growth through redevelopment projects such as this one.
