The Patchogue Village Planning Board has approved plans for theĀ Bitter Man Distilling Co. to take up shop in the vacant building at 147 West Avenue that most recently housed Pat Feliceās Auto.
The craft distillery will use New York State farm products to make vodka, gin, whiskey and bourbon. It will also feature a tasting room with a small kitchen for food offerings.
Tasting room guests would sample the spirits straight or by mixed cocktails.
Business partners and husband-and-wife team Anthony and Laurie Gruppuso of Bayport, who also own and operate AutoFix Collision Center in Bohemia, hope to start work this summer.
The project goes before the village Zoning Board of Appeals next month, as it seeks variances to allow for more on-premises parking, two feet of height for grain silos, as well as a strip of fencing.
“Our next step is to finish up with zoning and we anticipate to start our renovations sometimes in late June,” GruppusoĀ said Tuesday night. “At that point we have to wait for some federal paperwork before we start distilling product. With a little bit of luck we should be good to go by the year’s end.”
Gruppuso said he and his wife are especially excited to be the first distillery built in a downtown area of Long Island.
āThis would be the first craft distillery in an urban environment on Long Island,ā Grupposo previously told GreaterPatchogue.Ā āWhat Patchogue Village has done under its current administration is actually the picture perfect example of urban renewal, and we really want to be part of the resurgence.
“I couldnāt imagine doing this project anywhere but the Village of Patchogue.ā
In an interview this winter, Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri said he thought a craft distillery would be a nice fit for the village, and one that’s “low impact.”
“With the direction the village is going in, by making this a community that is attractive to young people, this fits pretty well with the entertainment and restaurant-type of business,” he said.
