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Applicant presents plan for microbrewery at 1221 Empire Boulevard; public hearing closed with no public comment
Summary
An applicant proposed reopening a microbrewery/restaurant at 1221 Empire Boulevard and described hours, staff, live-music plans, and parking-management ideas at a July 1 Penfield Town Board public hearing; no members of the public spoke and the hearing was closed.
Philip McArthur, the applicant, told the Penfield Town Board on July 1 that his team plans to re-establish a brewery with a small restaurant at 1221 Empire Boulevard, the site’s previous use, and that the purchase and operation are contingent on an approved special use permit.
McArthur said his team includes engineer David Cox and property owner Tom Quigley and that planned changes will be limited to cosmetic and interior updates rather than new construction. “Initial operations are likely to involve approximately two to three employees during non-public hours and up to four to eight during peak public business hours,” he said, adding that the business will close “no later than 11:00 p.m. each day.”
On entertainment, McArthur said the brewery would occasionally host live music primarily as background ambiance, typically on Thursday through Saturday evenings from roughly 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., with outdoor music ending by 9:00 p.m. “It will always end by 9:00 p.m., including on weekends,” he said.
Town planning staff (Carrie Ivers) told the board the LaSalle’s Landing Development District requires a public hearing whenever there is a change in use, occupancy, or ownership; she confirmed the legal notice was published in the Webster Herald on June 17, 2026 and that 22 postcards were mailed to notify nearby property owners.
Board members focused questions on parking and event management. McArthur said staff would actively manage parking during events, explore off-site staff parking to avoid using customer spaces, and consider scheduling tournaments or large events on off-peak days. Tom Quigley, the property owner participating via Zoom, said the ownership has discussed purchasing the adjacent former Agway lot for parking but that the cost makes that option complicated; the team is exploring temporary and shuttle solutions if needed.
No members of the public signed up to speak either in person or remotely; after an opportunity for public comment, the supervisor closed the hearing. The applicant reiterated that the purchase and planned operations remain contingent on receiving the required use permit. No vote on the permit was taken at the July 1 meeting.
