Stage 1 -- Initial information:
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 Business plan
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 Business structure considered
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 Investors
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 Analysis or possible locations/markets
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 Tied-house considerations
Stage 2 -- Site selection and due diligence:
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 Zoning, utilities, parking, use permit requirements, local alcoholic beverage license requirements, conceptual design
Stage 3 -- Formation of business structure:
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 Incorporate or organize business entity
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 Select and protect name(s)
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 Obtain Tax ID numbers
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 Obtain financing and investors
Stage 4 -- Acquire site:
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 Lease or purchase subject to conditions that you can obtain important approvals such as CUP, zoning, local alcoholic beverage licenses
Nine to 12 months before opening
-- Start design process:
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 Hire architect and engineers
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 Decide on brewery layout and equipment sizing for space design
Six to 12 months before opening --
Apply for and obtain local approvals:
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 Conditional use permit or land use pemit
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 Conditional local alcoholic beverage permit (issued on build-out and final inspections)
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 Design review of building and signs
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 Historical building remodel approval
Five to 7 months before opening --
Apply for permits:
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 Building permit
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 Final plans submitted and plan check done
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 Permit issued
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 Water and sewer connections confirmed
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 Apply for health department and food-service establishment permits
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 Order brewery and reataurant equipment, furnishing, fixtures
Four to five months before opening --
Alcoholic beverage licenses
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 Apply for TTB, state and local alcoholic beverage licenses -- applications prepared and filed
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 Collect information
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 Obtain bonds
•
 Submit applications
15 to 45 days before opening -- inspections
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 TTB brewery inspection (request if application is substantially complete and equipment is installed and the secured areas are completed)
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 Local and state ABC inspections, if required
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 Fire, police, safety, and health inspections
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 Final building inspection
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 File for special occupation tax with ATF
30 days before opening -- Final permits issued:
• TTB Brewer's notice
• State brewer's license
Local alcoholic beverage permit (often state/local wants TTB Brewer's Notice before issuance; in many places local license issues first, then state will issue)
•
 Certificate of occupancy for building/premises
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 Food service/health permits
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 Fire marshall approval
•
 Special occupation tax (federal tax stamps)
All dates and times are approximations based on general principals. Adjust this schedule to meet your unique needs and any local or state unusual circumstances