Hatched as an idea in May 2015, the Church Street Taphouse project is now coming to fruition.

The property was acquired in December 2015, and over the last year-and-a half, owners Chris Morrison, Adam Duncan, Craig Grant and Ben Davies have spent many hours working on permitting, acquiring a liquor licence, and designing the new building.

It鈥檚 a local team - Adam and Chris re-located to the Valley over the last few years while Craig and Ben were born and raised in Comox, and have many personal and family ties to the community.

鈥淥ur original plan was to renovate the building but after consultation with three different engineering firms, two of which would not approve a renovation, it was decided to build anew,鈥� Davies said in a press release.

鈥淭he existing building had no foundation, was full of rot and was actually a compilation of four old structures, none of which was structurally sound.鈥�

At various times, the buildings were used as a United church, upholstery business, daycare and Mason鈥檚 lodge.

鈥淭wo large basswood trees, also known as lindens, graced the front of the site but after consultation with the Town of Comox and an arborist, we were instructed to remove them due to both safety and construction issues,鈥� said Davies. 鈥淲e have salvaged the timber and plan to re-purpose it into the new building by making tables, milled beams, or perhaps a bar top. In addition, we will be working with the Town to re-plant a number of trees at other locations. We also managed to salvage a huge amount of the existing 铿乺 in the building before demolition, as well as a number of stained glass windows, all of which will be put to good use in the new taphouse.

Davies said many people and groups have come together to make the Church Street Taphouse a reality, including Tom Dishlevoy (Thomas Dishlevoy Architecture), and the Town of Comox staff and council.

鈥淲e鈥檇 also like to thank the owners and staff of Church Street Bakery and Blinds Bubbles Boutique for their understanding during the construction process,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about the future of the Church Street Taphouse and we want to make it into a destination of which the town residents can be proud and enjoy. Cheers!鈥�