Steve Thurston (2020)
Davidson Brothers Brewing Co.
The Davidson Brothers Brewery building in downtown Glens Falls is for sale for $1.995-million.
The 10,560-square-foot three-story building at 184 Glen Street is owned by brothers John and Rick Davidson, who purchased it in May of 1996 for $250,000.
The Loopnet.com listing says only the building is for sale, but “the business operation may be available for additional consideration.”
Contacted for comment, John Davidson said “We listed it about a year ago during the pandemic. Our business advisors suggested it. But we have no intention to make any quick moves. Our advisors said the market is hot, so we’re just exploring.”
John and Rick opened Davidson Brothers restaurant and brewery on Oct. 14, 1996, a time when downtown was struggling and microbrews were just starting to gain traction. In 2020, Rick Davidson’s wife Kerry said when they first opened, “there was us, a karate gym and the Bullpen.”
Of that time, John said, “There was nobody downtown. Scoville’s was there but most of the buildings on the other side of Glen Street were vacant.”
Since then, downtown has undergone a dramatic revitalization, with numerous restaurants opening and storefronts filled.
“We originally looked in Saratoga but couldn’t find anything, and we didn’t think Glens Falls could sustain a restaurant and brewery. But there was a Small Business Administration auction, and Rick went out to Syracuse and we won the auction.
“The building was a disaster. We took out 750 cubic yards of C&D debris and rebuilt it.”
John Davidson said Davidson Brothers will continue on “at least until Rick and I are dead. It’s the only place I can relax!
“We have a fantastic core staff and our product speaks for itself. We’re back to our original roots, as a restaurant and brewery. We no longer do distribution off-site.”
He added, “If someone sees it and wants to make an investment in downtown Glens Falls, great. We just put it on there about a year ago, but we’re not interested in getting calls from brokers.”
The building’s full-market value was $250,000 in 2021, but after the citywide revaluation, its preliminary 2022 assessment is $543,600.
Built in 1865 after the Great Fire of 1864, the Davidsons extensively renovated the building, and won the Chapman Museum Historic Preservation Award. The building’s exterior was renovated in 2010.