Purple Moon Pub has closed, but The Valley's beer scene could soon be on the rise. On Tuesday, November 19, the Waitsfield Development Review Board (DRB) will review an application from Mad River Green Shopping Center LLC, asking that the conditional use permit for what was formerly Jay's Restaurant be changed to "mixed use." The zoning permit application asks that the permitting be changed from "restaurant" to "restaurant and light industrial" to allow for installation of an onsite brewery.
The owners of Canteen Brewery, Charlie Menard and Andrew Davis, hope to open a sit-down, self-service restaurant with an onsite brewery in the vacant space in Mad River Green Shopping Center. Menard, currently the executive chef at the Inn at Round Barn Farm, would run the food operation and Davis, currently working as a brewer in Montreal, would run the beer operation.
Menard and Davis are excited to offer this new service to The Valley community. "The addition of this new restaurant and brewery will enhance the area and benefit the adjacent retailers in the shopping center," the application states.
Canteen Brewery will operate in the existing footprint of Jay's Restaurant "and the use will be similar, thus not creating a negative impact on the local roads." Canteen Brewery will also include a retail component and a redesigned outdoor patio/terrace area with seating and cooking space.
In the future, the owner plans to seek permitted use of an outdoor oven and firepit in the patio/terrace area and "may schedule live music from time to time and will work with the town to comply with the associated noise ordinance," the application states. The owner is also currently working with the state to comply with wastewater discharge regulations for a small brewery.
The DRB will review the Mad River Green Shopping Center LLC's conditional use permit application in a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, at 7 p.m. at the Waitsfield Town Offices. Those who cannot attend the hearing but wish to comment on the application can submit written comments to the planning and zoning administrator at the town offices or email them to
The newest brewery may be the second local brewery in Waitsfield because Localfolk Smokehouse is getting into the brewery business as well. Coming this winter, there will be two new taps at the Localfolk Smokehouse in Waitsfield. Localfolk owner John Morse is joining the growing microbrewery movement and installing a two-barrel, double-batching system in the basement of his bar and restaurant.
The beer will be sold on tap upstairs under the name Cousins Brewing Company, which Morse conceived with his cousin Paul Noglows and brother George Morse. Morse plans on hiring a brewmaster, perfecting one "more mainstream, IPA-style beer" and rotating the other tap with specialty flavors. Morse hopes to have the taps flowing by Thanksgiving, and if not then, in time for ski season.
China Fun looks to move to former Troll Shop
The owner of China Fun is looking to expand his take-out-only operation. On Tuesday, November 19, the Waitsfield Development Review Board (DRB) will review an application from Xin Jun Lin, who is asking that the conditional use permit for an existing vacant building at 5358 Main Street be changed to "mixed use." Lin's zoning permit application asks that the zoning be changed from "office" to "office/restaurant."
China Fun has operated out of its current location in Village Square Shopping Center for the last 11 years, but Lin is hoping to expand into a sit-down restaurant. In the new location, Lin hopes to open a 30-seat restaurant with an office space, and he plans to convert the barn on the 1.9-acre property to a single-family dwelling. The building that will become the restaurant has housed a doctor's office and other offices and served as a residence since it was converted from The Troll Shop several decades ago. The barn which will become a residence, has served as office space.
While Lin converts the buildings into restaurant and dwelling, he will continue to operate in his Village Square location.
The DRB will review Lin's conditional use permit application in a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, at 7 p.m. at the Waitsfield town offices. Those who cannot attend the hearing but wish to comment on the application can submit written comments to the planning and zoning administrator at the town offices or email them to
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