Horseheads Brewing will open Seneca Lake location

WATKINS GLEN--After years of serving customers on the edge of Seneca Lake, The Village Marina Bar and Grill is in the process of being turned into a new satellite location for Horseheads Brewing. Hoping to open by early May, Horseheads Brewing is currently performing renovations on the property in preparation.
"Bringing more business to a place like Watkins Glen helps everyone out in the long run," said Trevor Davis, general manager for Horseheads Brewing. "We talk to breweries all the time, and when another brewery opens that's fantastic because it collectively makes the industry stronger. It helps elevate the area."
A Watkins Glen native, Davis said Horseheads Brewing has been aiming for some time to open a location in Watkins Glen.
"I know we are not that far from Watkins but we will bring new business and new blood into the area," Davis added. "There are still a lot of people in the area who don't know us so it gives us another outlet."
With strong tourism numbers increasing each year, Watkins Glen was a natural place for expansion.
In a Facebook post by the owners of The Village Marina Bar and Grill making the announcement, it garnered nearly 350 reactions and 84 comments from customers recalling the fun they had on Seneca Lake.
"It's with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to the Village Marina Bar and Grill," the post read in part. "It's been an honor to serve all of you for so many years... it was a tough decision for us, but in the end we know it was the right one. We are excited for Horseheads Brewing to make something special of the space, we hope you will share a beer with us and enjoy the view."
Along with renovations, another factor in determining when the new location can open will be how long it takes to obtain a liquor license.
"Because we have a farm brewery license we are allowed five satellite locations, and this would be one of them... So it should be easier compared to getting a new license," Davis said.
In addition to the brewery, Davis said the location will keep a kitchen and will serve food along with beer.
"We will be bringing a different style of food," Davis mentioned. "So far we just have a tasting menu, but we will be doing food."
While the estimates call for the new location to open by the beginning of May, if everything lines up correctly it could be sooner.
"The real goal is to open ASAP," Davis added.