The owners of Fruitful Roots Brewing are getting closer to opening the first brewery in downtown Cornelius, located at 20219 N. Main St.
The company is in the process of rezoning about 1.05 acres for a 5,251-square-foot microbrewery, according to Charlotte Business Journal. A public hearing has already been held, and owners presented plans to the board of commissioners, with a vote tentatively scheduled for the end of March. The goal is to start construction by the second quarter of 2024 and possibly open by the end of the year, depending on how quickly plans are approved.
The new family-owned venture is led by Travis Marion, his wife Chelsea, his brother Douglas, and his wife Shannon. The group was established in 2019 and purchased the 1-acre lot in 2021 for $750,000 in the heart of downtown Cornelius. Now, they are creating a family-friendly taproom featuring a beer garden and patio with a grassy area. Inside, customers can expect an industrial but organic vibe with a second-floor mezzanine over the taproom. The owners have enlisted Cluck Design as the project’s architect.
“A brewery in downtown Cornelius could be a really interesting addition to the community here,” Travis Marion tells the Charlotte Business Journal. “We’re really trying to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor and have this immersive experience. We have this relentless pursuit of perfecting the taproom experience. We just see the real value in the humanistic side of that: bringing people together. We purchased the property as an investment in the future, an investment in the business, and an investment in the town.”