Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery announce downtown expansion

NMEDD Secretary announces financial support

Photos and Article by Mary Alice Murphy

New Mexico Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Jon Barela visited Silver City on Friday, Oct. 9, 2015, to make an announcement.

Jane Janson, Silver City Small Business Development Center director, moderated the event.

"This expansion of Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery is a game changer for Silver City," Janson said. "David (Crosley) and Teresa (Dahl-Bredine) began the Country Toad; the next year, they started their brewery and distillery; then the City Toad, and next they an expanded brewery and distillery in the old Skate Building on South Bullard."

Lucy Whitmarsh, Silver City Mainstreet Project director, explained the old building is called a "contributing building" to the Downtown Historic District.

Janson said the couple plan a tasting room and a patio at the back over the Big Ditch.

James Marshall, Silver City assistant manager, said Mayor Michael Morones was out of town, but asked him to "relay the message to Jon Barela. 'You are truly a friend to Silver City.'"

Marshall went on to say that the Economic Development Department has helped with the opening of the Murray Hotel, "which is a great big asset. As a local government, we want to bring in more revenue. Expanding businesses create economic development. In addition to the brewery and distillery on the south side of Bullard Street, we will have a candy factory; we already have a metal and motorcycle shop and Syzygy Tile; and this is all within about a two-block area. These businesses show we can overcome all hurdles. The entrepreneurs are saying: 'We can do business here.' We want to honor our entrepreneurs."

Patrick Hoskins, showroom manager at Syzygy Tile, is also the president of the MainStreet board. "This is about developing Silver City and bringing in outside money and leaving it here. We feel this is a commitment and reinforcement of what MainStreet is. Congratulations to David and Teresa, and I want to thank everyone who is participating."

Rep. John Zimmerman thanked the people of Silver City for making this happen. "When I ran, I said I wanted to support small businesses. I spoke in favor of this expansion. I'm your mouthpiece in Santa Fe. If I can do anything to grow a business, let me know, and I'll do what I can."

Barela said, on behalf of the Governor's Office, "I want to congratulate David and Teresa."

"I bring you news," Barela continued. "Through the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA), which was formed to get local businesses over the finish line, through LEDA, and through the Economic Development Department, we are allocating $100,000 for this business. It warms my heart to help small businesses grow. This business expects to create an additional 11 jobs over the next year or two."

He said he was in Des Moines, Iowa, when Silver City MainStreet Project was honored as one of the five best MainStreets in the entire country.

"It takes local leadership to get accolades like that," Barela said. "We will be back soon to share some more successes. I thank your area economic development representative Christine Logan for her hard work. I'm proud of the efforts being made here.

"The state doesn't create jobs," Barela said. "The best we can do is create the environment to help entrepreneurs create jobs."

Dahl-Bredine thanked the Economic Development Department "for supporting us. Thanks to Christine Logan, and I am proud to recommend Jane of the Small Business Development Center, who helped us build a strong business plan. I thank the town and the mayor and other officials. We appreciate John Zimmerman speaking out in support of us. It gives us the sense that the entire state is helping entrepreneurs build the economy from the ground up. And I can't forget Mike (Martin) and Pam (Archibald) of Western Bank. We have never regretted choosing Western Bank. Steven Shelendich, our architect, is here, and we couldn't do this without our wonderful staff."

"I can't tell you how excited we are about this expansion," Crosley picked up where Dahl-Bredine left off. "We are going to create something that Silver City deserves. We are beside ourselves. Right now, we are brewing 250 barrels a year. With this expansion, we can increase to 9,000 barrels a year. We will be able to export throughout the state and even the southwest part of the country. We will create jobs for more servers and have more retail. It's an amazing step for the Silver City economy. We are excited and 100 percent dedicated to do what it takes."

On Oct. 17, Little Creek Brewery & Distillery, the city Toad at 200 N. Bullary St., will celebrate its annual Octoaderfest.

Janson concluded the event by saying that anyone who wants to expand their business should talk to Logan and stop by the SBDC. "We can help you and Silver City grow."