Pilgrim's seeks permit for beverage processing site

COEUR d'ALENE — A proposal for a beverage processing facility in Coeur d'Alene will go before the Coeur d'Alene Planning Commission at its 5:30 meeting tonight in the Library Community room.

Joe Hamilton, Hamilton Investments LLC, is requesting a Custom Manufacturing Special Use Permit in the commercial zoning district to allow a custom manufacturing use at 1411 N. Fourth Street.

Hamilton, owner of Pilgrim's Market a short distance south and across the street, is proposing to convert the existing multi-tenant commercial space into a beverage processing/production facility.

"Granting this special use permit would directly add to the richness of our city's livability by providing great jobs that are close to people's homes that encourages walking or biking to work," according to a narrative from Pilgrim's Market.

A retail area will be provided, where the organic juices produced on-site will be sold to walk-in customers, according to a city report.

Most of the products and 100% of the beer will be sold to Pilgrim's Market.

There will also be a classroom area opened to the public.

Pilgrim’s Market has held over 500 education events in the last 22 years, with many of them free, the proposal said.

"This space would support this continued effort," it said.

The existing 3,600-square-foot building was previously used for a wine- and beer-making business.

The beverage center will be leased to Pilgrim's Market, which opened 22 years ago with one employee in a 1,300-square-foot site.

This year, Pilgrim's will pay about $4.45 million, at an average of $21.50 an hour, in total compensation, according to the project description.

"Granting this special use permit will enrich not only the quality of our city’s employment landscape but also its variety," the proposal said. "Permitting a very small custom manufacturing facility in the city will provide a great stepping stone for any cottage industry."