Update on Proposed LG Gin Distillery
The entrepreneurs who want to build a gin distillery in La Grange came to the City Council almost six months ago seeking approval to open their business in the downtown historic district. The City has yet to act on their request.
La Grange’s code of ordinances prohibit the production of alcoholic spirits in the downtown historic district. The owners, David and Vicky McGrath, asked the Council at their Aug. 23, 2023, meeting to consider changing the ordinance. City Attorney Angela Beck proposed a special use permit which would allow the McGraths to operate their business in downtown, but the prohibition would remain in place for other properties.
At the City Council meeting this Monday, Feb. 12, Councilman Ken Taylor inquired about the status of McGraths’ request.
“I don’t think we’ve discussed it in quite some time,” Taylor said at the meeting. “I’m curious about the status of the ordinance we need to move forward with the gin manufacturing downtown. Where are we at?”
“We need to do something, because that’s been a long time,” said Councilwoman Patsy Zbranek.
Beck said the proposal needs to go before the City’s board of adjustments and the planning and zoning commission.
“There are two processes that have to go on, and I’ll get that going,” Beck said.
Councilwoman Kathy Weishuhn said the City’s Main Street department met with the McGraths at the downtown property, located at 229 W. Travis. A consultant from the Texas Historical Commission also attended that meeting. La Grange Main Street Manager Caleb Parks told the Record that the consultant raised concerns about the fire hazard associated with distilling spirits inside the building. Since that time, the McGraths have decided to move distilling and production to a different location in town, the old Mico Machine building.
“We’re actually signing a lease today, which will cement us to La Grange,” Vicky McGrath told the Record in an interview on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
The downtown space would be used as a storefront, tasting room and school where groups can learn about distilling and make their own gin.
“We’re not going to be doing our primary distilling at the location on the Square,” McGrath said. “We hope to move forward with that space. The landlord is biding his time and he’s very anxious for us to take over at a future time. A tasting room and gin school will go into those locations. We still do need the ordinance because the gin school is technically distilling.”
In the meantime, McGrath said the business is moving equipment into the off-site distilling facility. She said they hope to produce their first bottles of gin by mid- to late-summer of this year.
“At that point, hopefully the ordinance will come into play and we’ll be able to set up and sign the lease on the Square,” McGrath said.
“We’re here, we’re not going anywhere, and we’re committed to La Grange,” she added.
McGrath said the business has hired a group of engineers and fire safety experts who specialize in distilleries.
“We’re going to be doing this right,” she said. “I think this is something La Grange will be really proud of.”