New Distillery Helping to Lead East Side Revitalization

(KNSI) – The new Iron Street Distillery is planning to open next month, hopefully leading the east side revitalization efforts.

The East St. Germain Street business is only one piece of a general revitalization of the area. John Martens is co-owner and president of Iron Street. The other co-owner Kevin Johnson spoke at a community meeting Tuesday night at Salem Lutheran Church and talked about the momentum that is building. Martens echoed those sentiments when he spoke with KNSI.

“With the rebirth of this east side, we’re enjoying being part of that. I believe with the energy that has been started with the focus on the east side along with additional buildings that have been sold recently, the trend is pretty exciting.”

Also speaking at Tuesday’s meeting were the new owners of the Copper Lantern, Lenora Hunt, the new owner of the Ace Bar building, and Brian Myers of the Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation. There are plans in the works for St. Cloud’s second community outpost, or COP House, to be situated in the neighborhood.

Martens says the spirits maker will be set up inside the historical International Harvester building at 539 East St. Germain Street. Located next to the rail line, the establishment will use that to its advantage, says Martens.

“On the east side of our building there are several smaller entities where we can do private rentals. Private rooms that maybe hold anywhere from eight to 16 people and one of the rooms, we’ve actually named it the Train Room.”

Martens says it isn’t uncommon for people to park near the rail line and watch the trains zip past. He said there might eventually be a model train that runs along a track inside the distillery itself at some point.

Martens talked about the possibility of collaboration between his business and others in the area. He says they intend to feature food from nearby Val’s, whose owner was also presented at Tuesday’s community meeting.

Martens says the Amtrak station, big box retailers like Target, and nearby apartment complexes ensure a lot of people pass by the eastern end of downtown. That provides a solid foundation to help fuel the ongoing renaissance.

Correction: Story originally said Martens spoke at Tuesday’s meeting. It was changed to reflect co-owner Kevin Johnson talked at the event.

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