Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 9/6/2023
LUDLOW — Iron Duke Brewing Co. owner Nick Morin announced a grant opportunity that will help renovate the brewery and restaurant.
Iron Duke Brewing, located in Stockhouse 122 at the Ludlow Mills complex, was selected to participate in a statewide Biz-M-Power grant program.
According to its website, the Biz-M-Power crowdfunding matching grant program offers small businesses in Massachusetts financial assistance with their acquisition, expansion, improvement or lease of a facility, purchase or capital lease of equipment, or with meeting other capital needs for the business.
This program is funded by the commonwealth’s operating budget, with $7.5 million appropriated for this purpose.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Morin said about being selected for the grant program. “We try to have a somewhat large footprint in the Western Massachusetts area. We are not a huge company with access to huge capital, so this was really exciting for us to be selected and have the opportunity to be among a small group of small businesses in the state that are doing similar projects.”
Iron Duke will receive a double match on up to $20,000 of the funds raised, meaning if Iron Duke raises $20,000, they would be awarded $40,000.
Iron Duke Brewing set up a Patroncity funding page with the goal of $20,000.
As of publication, the page has raised approximately $29,000.
Morin said although they have reached their original goal, he is keeping the page up because of the incentive opportunities they provided to help raise money.
For example, those who donated $250 or more received a VIP beer dinner for them and a guest.
Morin added, “We left it up in case people want to continue to participate. I am not sure how much longer we are going to keep it up but for however long it stays up we are looking to give people those opportunities to participate in our business in those fun ways.”
With those funds, Morin is planning a renovation of the outdoor space to create a stampcrete patio for outdoor dining and recreation and build a firepit.
Morin said his vision for Iron Duke is to add an entirely new outdoor gathering space and beer garden.
This includes a brand new raised patio and green space created from what is currently just a blacktop.
Above the patio will be a large stainless steel mezzanine, which will also be a seating area for patrons.
The mezzanine will create a two-level seating and dining space “that is completely unique to this area of Western Massachusetts,” Morin said.
With Iron Duke Brewing reaching its goal in three or four days and Morin mentioned how appreciative he was and helps people know the business is there to stay.
He added, “First thing it does is get people excited about our space and we are communicating that long term mentality. It is a small family owned business, and we plan on being there for the duration.”
Iron Duke Brewing opened its own place in 2014 and over the last nine years has been through ups and downs and uncertainty about operating through the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to the pandemic, Iron Duke was in a legal battle with WestMass under its former CEO Eric Nelson and was in the process of relocating to Wilbraham before Nelson’s sudden passing. Renewed negotiations between the two sides including new CEO Jeff Daley allowed Iron Duke to remain in Ludlow. Daley was a more willing and responsive partner, according to Morin.
During this time, the company also faced a cease and desist from Duke University over its name.
Morin hopes these potential renovations show people the brewery and restaurant is going to be in Ludlow for a long time.
He said, “What its’s going to bring is at least the sense, which is true, is that we are there to stay. There has been a lot of uncertainty and ambiguity about our future over the years at that site and it solidifies the fact that we are there to stay, we are investing a lot of money and our time to stay there.”
Morin said now that the brewery is further into the fundraising efforts, he knows how much money they have to work with, and he said he will start working with contractors on upgrading the space.
“I want to thank my customers, my family and all they patrons that come in. They are the ones that drive the whole thing. That’s why we do it,” Morin added.