BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON - The ground has been cleared for the Bent Beam Brewery in Canton.

The former McCarthy’s Furniture Barn, the historic and original structure to house the brewery, was torn down last week after a contractor deemed the building unsafe.

“After doing everything we could to save the barn, ultimately, the frame had too much rot and deterioration that was hidden behind some of the interior walls,” stated Gary Hammond, chief financial officer for St. Lawrence Suds. “The engineer and general contractor both declared the building unsafe to work in, so we have had to pivot to demolition and reconstruction.”

Original plans to open the establishment in the former McCarthy’s Furniture Barn, 41 West Main St., were squashed when contractor Northern Tier Contracting (NTC), Gouverneur, issued a report to the village board that the building was unsafe.

Hence, the building had to be razed.

 “We had to do additional environmental testing and had some asbestos removed. Additional review was also conducted by the State Historic Preservation Office before we were given the go ahead with the demolition,” noted Hammond. “With the help of the Village and the [St. Lawrence County] IDA we confirmed that we can still use our grant towards the project.”

The Bent Beam Brewing project received $610,000 in Restore NY funding in December 2022.

“Short work was made of bringing the barn down,” he said.  

The change in plans warranted the village board to pass Type II SEQRA action which they did at their July 17 meeting.

“The St. Lawrence Suds project proposed for the property at 41 West Main Street in the Village of Canton does not meet or exceed any applicable Type I thresholds nor is it deemed likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment. The replacement project involves work on the same site and footprint and is deemed as not subject to SEQRA review,” the resolution reads.

A report from the engineering firm Tisdel Associates cited problems with the foundation and existing walls.

The report, dated May 24, indicated the existing building foundation was in very poor condition and only extended 12" ± below existing grade, which does not provide adequate frost protection; the interior structure had previously been damaged by a fire. The extent of fire damage was much more extensive than we had anticipated; the main structure had been extensively damage by water intrusion causing the structure to be compromised; it appears that the building walls have begun to fail and that the structure is not safe; and it does not appear that the jacking and raising the existing structure to install a new foundation is practical.

The Type II SEQRA resolution also noted that “St. Lawrence Suds will construct a replacement structure in the same location along with new electric service and hookups in the village’s sewer and water infrastructure. Renovations are to be completed per plans and specs are subject to review of the Village Planning Board. When finished there will be approximately 3,660 square feet of space for the brewery, restaurant and serving areas on one floor.”