Along the banks of scenic Peak Creek in the Town of Pulaski, DHCD representatives and community leaders welcomed a new place for locals and visitors alike to socialize and experience downtown on Friday, Feb. 27. That evening, Great Wilderness Brewing Company opened its doors to the community with a ribbon-cutting and words of appreciation from partners in the project.
The building, located at 91 First Street, was originally in use by the General Chemical Company as an office and blacksmith shop. According to the Virginia Department for Historical Resources, the acid plant would cease operations during the Great Depression, and was left vacant for several years.
This use aligned with the town’s goals outlined in its’ Comprehensive Plan, which emphasizes revitalizing the Main Street district as a tourism destination and promoting the elimination/restoration of blighted properties.
In 2019, the town acquired the building and surrounding property in 2019 after it was identified as a key project for district revitalization. Through a Brownfields assessment, the building was able to be upgraded and marketed as an anchor location in downtown.
Talks began in earnest with Scot Rockafellow, owner of Great Wilderness Brewing Company, about opening a tasting room location. Rockafellow had completed the Virginia Tech Business of Brewing Program and had since won multiple medals and awards in craft beer competitions around the country.
Ingredients for the brewery’s beers are intended to be locally sourced, with malt, pumpkin, corn, and a variety of fruits coming from local farmers. Any byproduct would be donated back to farmers for livestock feed. In addition, there was an emphasis on recruiting veterans and having them serve as experts in selecting, acquiring, and serving a wide range of beers.
With assistance from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, DHCD’s Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) contributed $950,000 to the renovation of the structure, where the funds were used to provide upgrades to the interior of the existing building, as well as additions to the exterior, which include an outdoor stage and seating area.
With the opening of Great Wilderness Brewing Company, the First Street area has welcomed a revitalized historic structure and three to five new jobs. The brewery will also serve as a new anchor and regional attraction, complementing the nearby skate park and acting as a natural starting or end point for the Dora Junction Trail, which sees 70,000 visitors annually. The trail also connects to the larger New River Trail State Park, which attracts roughly 800,000 visitors each year.
Pulaski’s ongoing downtown revitalization efforts are also supported by Pulaski on Main (PoM), the community’s Main Street organization. Working alongside the Town and local partners, PoM has helped advance placemaking and revitalization initiatives that make Pulaski’s downtown more welcoming and vibrant for residents and visitors. Recent projects include a Community Vitality Grant (CVG) pocket park along Peak Creek, which created a new outdoor gathering space, and events like ‘Music and Merchants‘ that celebrate the community’s history and creativity while adding energy to downtown streets. As part of the Mobilizing Main Street program, PoM continues to build momentum and plays an important role in strengthening downtown Pulaski as a lively destination that complements new investments like Great Wilderness Brewing Company.
The addition of this “watering hole” at the connection point of this attraction and historic downtown Pulaski is expected to bolster the food service industry and tourism, as well as serve as a recruiting tool for businesses and residents. DHCD is proud to have supported this project and looks forward to the economic and community benefits it will provide in the years to come.
Author
Jeff Szyperski is a Program Administrator with Virginia Main Street’s sister program, the Industrial Revitalization Fund.
Virginia Main Street 