Developer seeking brewery partner for exciting Main St. Canandaigua development

Capstone Development wants to find a brewery to occupy portion of its project in former U.S. Post Office/YMCA complex.

Note: This newsletter is the result of a paid sponsorship between Capstone Development and Construction and the Cleveland Prost.

What is currently home to the YMCA along Main Street in Canandaigua will undoubtedly become so much more under the watchful eye and guidance of Capstone Development/Construction.

Don Lasher, who leads the Rochester-based construction and development company with the wide-ranging portfolio and history, lights up when talking about the seemingly endless possibilities for the massive 55,000-square-foot property, one that really could serve as a gateway to the city of Canandaigua, Canandaigua Lake, and the entire Finger Lakes region. The footprint also includes the former U.S. Post Office, which is probably the most recognizable part of the complex for those driving past.

The YMCA will move to its larger, modern home later this year. But the departure leaves behind a fascinating shell that could become so much through creativity, renovation, and restoration. The property won’t include any residential spaces. But the possibilities are still endless.

“We’re working on repositioning it,” Lasher said. Both Lasher and CBRE Upstate NY’s Alex Amorese, a commercial real estate associate who is working with Lasher on the project, envision adding a brewery or craft beverage producer to serve as the anchor. They hope to attract an existing craft brewery, one that is looking to establish an outpost in the Rochester and Finger Lakes regions. (That’s not to say, however, that they aren’t open to partnering with a distillery, cidery, winery or with a brand new project, if the parties connect and the visions align.) Much like Other Half, Tin Barn, Big aLICe, and so many more, Lasher and Amorese hope other regional breweries recognize the opportunities presented by a booming FLX beer scene.

“A New York state-rooted brewery with a strong presence and following behind it, that’s our primary goal for an anchor concept,” Amorese said. But that doesn’t mean developers aren’t open to other ideas or tenants. They envision partnering with an existing brewery and then working with that tenant to customize the space. The brewery would be housed in the YMCA portion of the building and hold the potential for adding a brewhouse if that’s the path desired. Either way, there will be a huge patio added to the front of the property that will allow visitors to enjoy the beautiful Canandaigua surroundings.

“We need more visibility and there is room there to push the patio out to the street,” Lasher said.

To break it down simply, there wasn’t an Ontario County beer scene before 2010. There wasn’t any craft beer presence in and around Canandaigua. That changed with the opening of Naked Dove Brewing in Canandaigua in 2010. And since then, Ontario County has exploded. It now boasts more than 20 craft breweries, including five in Canandaigua (Peacemaker, Young Lion, Twisted Rail, Frequentem, and the aforementioned Naked Dove). Canandaigua also includes some incredible craft beer bars and a fantastic cidery called Star. And Star sits right near the entrance of CMAC performing arts center, a wonderful natural amphitheater that welcomes in the best of national touring recording artists every spring and summer.

To put it simply, Canandaigua is a destination. And the beautiful lake is only a small part of the draw. There are numerous parks offering a wide array of outdoor activities. Plus, the city is truly the gateway to the expansive and impressive Finger Lakes wine region. It’s also home to New York Kitchen, formerly the New York Wine and Culinary Center. NYK is a nonprofit dedicated to advocacy and education for the incredible New York craft beverage industry through classes, events, tastings, and other activities.

Lasher and Capstone closed on the property in August 2022. They’re leasing the current space to the YMCA until the end of the summer, when it’s expected the Y will be able to move into its palatial new building on North Street. The Post Office was built in 1909, and the YMCA addition was added in 1959. The Post Office is roughly 16,000 square feet. The YMCA added a pool in the rear of the building and other amenities within the last few years. And instead of infilling the pool, they could take advantage of the sunken infrastructure in place to add a brewing system and tanks. It would also allow them to potentially add a second floor in that section. There is also plenty of space in the back for a loading dock and truck access. Lasher said they could easily add more windows to the space, too.

Lasher added they don’t plan to add any more space to the property. But the potential brewery location is completely contiguous and customizable. The goal is to partner with a brewery first as the anchor tenant, making sure those needs are met, and then working to attract other businesses. Lasher and Amorese said they would love to see a boutique hotel operator as another tenant. They said the area continues to be “under-hoteled.” That would only serve to elevate Canandaigua’s reputation as a destination. And they added the Post Office already feels like a natural fit for a partner like that.

“Don really saw this as an opportunity to take what is already a prominent, central building, a community-driven building, and continue the life of that, just with a different path,” Amorese said. “It really could be a multitude of mixed uses. Don is really targeting partners he wants to invest in and he wants to make sure they’d be good stewards of the property. It’s really important to the community.”

The project could also include a coffee shop, cigar lounge, spa, event space, or really anything. Lasher and Amorese are waiting to connect with a brewery client before committing with other businesses. They want to give a potential brewery the ability to guide and shape the project through a level of symbiosis. That would ensure the businesses truly exist in harmony and support the greater Canandaigua community.

With a devoted following and a history of innovation and quality, it is only fitting for a regional brewery to join this illustrious lineup. The city's residents and visitors have developed a discerning palate for diverse beer styles, creating a ready-made market primed to embrace new and exciting offerings.

This flexibility enables the brewery to fulfill its vision, whether it involves experimenting with unique brews or crafting a delectable menu to pair with the beer selection. The building's great bones lay the foundation for an immersive experience that blends the historic charm of the structure with the energy of a thriving brewery.

Lasher cut his teeth through his experience with one of Rochester’s largest commercial real estate development firms. His history and portfolio is shaped through a unique business model, one that allows him to serve as both a real estate developer and a full-service construction operation. His recent projects include the soon-to-open Rising Storm Brewing location at the historic Daisy Flour Mill in Penfield. He also just completed the Factory 243 project in Canandaigua. For that project, Capstone reimagined the Lisk Manufacturing site on Gorham Street with a mix of sleek lofts and apartments and other retail operations, including Working Class Coffee.

“We have some really good foundational starting blocks,” Amorese said. “Everything these people are going to need the support and guidance on when it comes to getting a project like this off the ground, Don can offer.”

If you’re interested in learning more about the development, you can contact Amorese at alex.amorese@cbre-rochester.com or 585-784-3621. You can also contact Jaymes Keenan and Andrew Gearhart, who also work at CBRE. Keenan can be reached at jaymes.keenan@cbre-rochester.com, while Gearhart is at andrew.gearhart@cbre-rochester.com.