Chesapeake Bay Distillery to Expand in Virginia Beach
Chesapeake Bay Distillery to Expand in Virginia Beach
January 20, 2015
Chesapeake Bay Distillery, headquartered in Virginia Beach, has announced plans to expand its small-craft distillery and relocate to the resort district. The company manufactures Blue Ridge Vodka, Beach Vodka and Chicks Beach Rum.
Chesapeake Bay Distillery was established in 2005 by Chris Richeson. The company started making Blue Ridge Vodka at a 1,450-square-foot facility at 2669 Production Road in the Lynnhaven corridor of Virginia Beach.
The new location will allow the distillery to greatly expand operations and tap into the lively atmosphere of the Virginia Beach resort area. Chesapeake Bay Distillery will be one of the first businesses in the Beach’s new creative district at the resort. This move is expected to help kick off the arts district and attract other businesses.
Chesapeake Bay Distillery will open a 5,180-square-foot manufacturing facility and tasting room at 437 Virginia Beach Blvd., near Baltic Avenue The move requires a conditional use permit and approval by the City Council. That action is anticipated in February.
“Chesapeake Bay Distillery has built a growing reputation for its quality products, and this new location will support the company’s development of a national brand,” said Virginia Beach Economic Development Director Warren D. Harris. “The ViBe District is the perfect location for this type of unique destination small business. We’re expecting many more creative companies to join them soon.”
The Virginia Beach Development Authority has awarded an Economic Development Investment Program grant in the amount of $15,000 based on the capital investment of $1,218,000 in the property and improvements.
About the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development
The mission of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development is to attract and retain national and international businesses to stimulate capital investment and create jobs. Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia with a population of 440,000, and it is the 37th largest in the United States. It is recognized as one of the Best Run Cities in America by 24/7 Wall St. The Department of Economic Development received re-accreditation through the International Economic Development Council in 2012 and is one of only 29 economic development organizations in the world to have this recognition. It is listed among the Top Five Overall Mid-sized American Cities of the Future, Top 10 for Economic Potential and Top Five for Infrastructure by fDi Magazine. CNNMoney.com ranked Virginia Beach as the Easiest Place to Start a Business and the 2nd Most Business-Friendly City in the country. For more information, visit www.yesvirginiabeach.com.