Council Clears Hurdle for Downtown Gin Distillery

The La Grange City Council took a first step towards allowing a gin distillery to move into the downtown historic district.

Entrepreneurs David and Vicky McGrath, who are trying to start a business called La Grange Distilling Co., first brought their plans to the City Council last August. They initially wanted to build a gin distillery inside the building at 229 W. Travis St., across from the Fayette County Courthouse. However, City zoning regulations inside the downtown historic district prohibit the manufacture of alcoholic spirits. The McGraths have since decided to operate a main distillery at a separate location in La Grange where zoning regulations allow it. The space on the Square would be used for a storefront and classroom with a small-scale distillery where groups could learn about the gin-making process. But a small-scale distillery would still violate the zoning ordinance.

The McGraths have asked the Council to modify the zoning ordinance to allow for their business.

At the City Council meeting on Monday, April 8, the Council proposed a revision to the ordinance that would allow alcohol manufacturing inside the downtown historic district as long as the property is also located within a business and commercial district.

The proposed revision also stipulates that the business must hold an appropriate permit issued by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

The proposed revision will go before the City’s zoning commission for consideration. If they support it, the revision will return to the Council for final approval. Councilwoman Kim Newton asked whether the ordinance would differentiate between small-scale and large-scale manufacturing in the historic district.

“Your fire code and all of your other existing codes will determine what, if anything, can occur in that historic district,” said City Attorney Angela Beck. “So you don’t have to detail all of those things in what I’ve drafted to send to the zoning commission. It’s difficult to set parameters for all the types of alcohol manufacturing.”

The proposal passed without opposition.

Vicky McGrath told the Record on Tuesday that her company is currently working with consultants to ensure their facilities meet all appropriate building and safety codes. “We are glad it’s moving ahead,” McGrath said.

The city’s zoning commission will consider the ordinance revision at an upcoming meeting, possibly as soon as May.