MUSCATINE, Iowa – Contrary Brewing Company owners Mark and Robin Mitchell have great plans for their business and the customers they serve presently and in the future. A multi-phased expansion of the facility located at 411 W. Mississippi Drive is underway as business, and product line, continue to grow.
The Muscatine residents recently received a $25,000 Small Business Forgivable Loan from the City of Muscatine to assist with the first phase of that expansion.
“A sprinkler system, additional egress, and additional bathrooms are included in this first phase,” Mark Mitchell said.
The expansion will be done in phases and eventually will increase the capacity of customers to 150 and increase the capacity to brew and bottle the Mitchell’s ever growing number of beers.
“The committee looked at this as an existing business and their plans for expansion,” Adam Thompson, planning/community development director for the City of Muscatine said. “The committee determined that Contrary Brewing met the criteria and vision for redevelopment in Muscatine.”
The Small Business Forgivable Loan was established by the City of Muscatine to assist with building improvements and startup costs associated with the creation of a new business or to existing businesses significantly expanding into a new market, product, or service. More details about the program can be found on the City of Muscatine web site by clicking here.
“Contrary Brewery is an excellent example of the City’s support,” Dave Gobin, Community Development Director, said. “We’ve encouraged a number of small businesses to apply for this program and have seen significant success over the last three years since we launched it. I believe Muscatine is the only community that does this.”
For the Contrary Brewing Company, the opportunity to secure additional funds to help address the issues of sprinkler systems and egress issues means that additional funds can be allocated to grow and expand the business.
“We are also applying for other Small Businesses loans that will aid in our plans for expansion,” Mitchell said. “We are excited about the future.”
An expanded menu of beers, their own bottling area, expanded area for customers, and the possibility of serving food are all on the horizon for Contrary Brewing Company.