WATERLOO, IA (with excerpts from the WCF Courier): As testament to the new momentum in Downtown Waterloo, Waterloo City Council members had three competitive proposals to choose from to utilize the downtown Public Market building last month. Ultimately the Council voted to approve a seven-year lease with Verve Kombucha to operate a bistro and brewery for the fermented tea product in the high-profile structure. Verve was selected over Lark Brewing Co. and Waterloo Bicycle Works, which had also submitted proposals to lease the facility.
Verve is a partnership between Sidecar Coffee’s Andy Fuchtman and Alex Hottle, SingleSpeed Brewing’s Dave Morgan and developer Brent Dahlstrom. “I think we’re the right team in the right place at the right time,” Fuchtman said. “Thanks to the other folks that submitted their ideas. A little competition makes things better.”
Councilman Chris Shimp said it was difficult to pick a winner from the three proposals. “I knew getting into politics there was going to be some tough decisions, and this was probably one of the toughest that I think I’ve faced so far,” Shimp said. “All three of these are great projects.”
Mayor Quentin Hart said both Lark and Waterloo Bicycle Works had the city’s “full commitment” to help them find another location downtown. “Those conversations will begin immediately,” he said.
Verve will receive free rent for one year under the lease agreement while it renovates the building into a brewery and restaurant. (Read the full WCF Courier article here.)
