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Owners of The Drake Eatery to open new brewery and lounge

The new lounge is set to open on Herald Street in downtown Victoria
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A digital rendering of Herald Street Brew Works was put forward by de Hoog & Kierulf architects on behalf of Lee and Mike Spence, the owners of The Drake Eatery. (City of Victoria)

Owners of The Drake Eatery in downtown Victoria are hoping to open up a second tap lounge just two blocks away, with a brewery on site.

In a proposal to the City of Victoria, owners Lee and Mike Spence outlined their plan for the property at 506 Herald St. to become the Herald Street Brew Works.

“This will be a ‘destination brewery’, meaning all product is meant to be consumed on site in the Tasting Lounge or packaged in personalized containers for take-home,” Lee Spence wrote. “Herald Street Brew Works is meant to honour the rich history of old town Victoria.”

The 178-seat lounge will be co-operated by New Westminster company, Steel & Oak Brewing, and run under brewer Ryan Voigt.

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The lounge would offer a similar atmosphere and food options as The Drake.

As a part of the application process, the Spences had to alert the site’s surrounding neighbours; two letters were received in response, both against the development.

The Victoria Police Department also voiced concern about potential noise issues.

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The Victoria Downtown Residents Association did not supply a comment.

In a committee of the whole meeting on Thursday, Council motioned for the application to be approved. The decision must now be ratified at council.

After council’s approval, the designs will be put forward for public comment.

The business could open as early as this year.

nicole.crescenzi@vicnews.com


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