By Vicki Greene, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – Marlborough residents JP and Melynda Gallagher are one step closer to their dream of opening Lost Shoe Brewing and Roasting Company at 19 Weed Street, the former Speakers Nightclub. The City Council unanimously approved the couple’s request for a Special Permit to allow them to roast coffee on-site in addition to the batch brewing. There had been some concern by the Council regarding possible odors resulting from the coffee bean roasting process.
In the application for the Special Permit, Melynda Gallagher, who will oversee the coffee side of the business, said they were installing a Vortx Ecofilter and that if there is any odor it would be a sweet smell. She said it takes 10 – 15 minutes to roast 20 gallons of coffee. She said she plans to roast the green coffee beans a few mornings a week to start.
Following a City Council Public Hearing on the permit last month, review by the Council’s Urban Affairs Committee and final approval from the Council Jan. 7, the Gallaghers are just about ready to go.
“It’s a great use,” said Councilor Joseph Delano. “When we were putting together the Marlborough Village District zoning ordinance, people said they wanted microbreweries downtown.”
According to owner JP Gallagher in an email dated January 17, he is still waiting for his pouring license for the brewing side of the business as well as final inspections before he can start the beer brewing process.
“The process takes two to three weeks to get from brewing to the tap,” Gallagher said.
If you’re hungry, it will be B.Y.O.F (Bring-Your-Own Food). Down the road, the Gallaghers said they will be providing Belgian waffles from an outside vendor as well as soft pretzels for the beer crowd. They plan to hire seven to ten employees once the brewing process starts.
Lost Shoe is the second brewery to open in the Marlborough Village District. Flying Dreams Brewing Co. owned by Dave Richardson, opened a tap room at 277 Main St. last month. The Marlborough Economic Development Corp. had put out a call for brewers in the downtown area last fall, in effort to bring more visitors and residents to the city’s core.
