A proposed new micro-brewery for Waldo has led to an ordinance that some council members hope will encourage a growing industry composed of small businesses.
The ordinance passed Thursday was created to allow a micro-brewery near 79th and Wornall – an area already maxed out for licenses to serve alcohol.
The new ordinance exempts facilities that produce alcoholic beverages from those density rules if they meet the proper standards and sell only alcoholic beverages they manufacture at that location.
Sales could be both package and by the drink.
Councilman John Sharp and colleague Scott Taylor said the considerable success of Kansas City craft beer brewer Boulevard Brewing is just one example of the potential for other specialized beverage manufacturers.
Sharp told the council, “We are seeing an explosion of micro-breweries, small wineries, craft distilleries around the nation, so this does have, I think, real economic potential for Kansas City.“
The council members agreed, unanimously endorsing the change to the city's liquor license ordinance.
The proposed new brewery in Waldo, Called the Kansas City Bier Company, would involve a $1.7 million dollar investment and would be expected to employ about a dozen people.
