64° and Thundery outbreaks in nearby
Image
Mendham resident and entrepreneur Bob Dillon proposed to the Morristown Planning board his desire to convert Cy's Brakes, the lot behind the Morristown Diner that has been vacant for a dozen years, into a distillery. The distillery would be named Dismal Harmony.
Cy's Brakes, at 77 Morris Street, is an approved location for a new distillery but would require Dillon to obtain the appropriate space to remedy the lack of parking and loading zones around Cy's Brakes.
Dillion plans to charge patrons around $14-$15 for whiskeys and cocktails blended by a mixologist from the Gladstone Tavern.
The project is a personal venture for the Mendham resident who holds degrees from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Colombia University. Dillon already has a license to manufacture whiskey products and hopes to sell his whiskeys and cocktails to local restaurants - End of Elm has already expressed interest.
The Morristown Zoning Board must first approve construction plans, then Dillon must obtain a crafts distillery license from the New Jersey State Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
Dillon plans for the first floor to have a tasting bar and says whiskey will be produced in the basement on weekends.
Food can not be sold at the distillery, but laws would allow delivery from other restaurants to Dillon's establishment.
In accordance with local laws, patrons visiting for their first time would be required to take a tour of the distillery before tasting. After which, on any subsequent visit to the distillery a tour would not be required.
Dillon has confirmed that he purchased stills, cleaning, receiving, filtering, and cooling equipment, and has paid all legal and licensing fees as well as a large deposit to landlord Scotto Properties for a five-year lease.
Dismal Harmony would serve as a close neighbor to Glenbrook Brewery which opened in March. The curious name, Dismal Harmony, comes from the intersecting Brooks, Dismal and Harmony, located in a Mendham nature preserve.
