The Shadow
RICHMOND, VA (VR) — Governor Glenn Youngkin announced on Friday, July 29, 2022, that a hard cider producer in Albemarle County, Potter’s Craft Cider is relocating and expanding its production operation within the county to meet growing out-of-state demand. The company is undertaking adaptive reuse of a vacant, 11,500 square-foot warehouse in the historic Woolen Mills District near downtown Charlottesville that will house the new cidery. The project represents $900,000 in new capital investment, the creation of eight new jobs, and a tripling of production capacity leading to the purchase of an additional 1.5 million pounds of Virginia-grown apples over the next three years.
“Potter’s Craft Cider’s commitment to supporting local growers and crafting innovative beverages inspire Virginians to celebrate the rich heritage of apple production in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “We are thrilled for their expansion as the cider they produce attracts individuals from near and far to get a taste of Virginia and experience the unparalleled ambiance life here offers.”
“Virginia is proud to be one of the nation’s top apple-producing states and operations like Potter’s Craft Cider strengthen Virginia’s apple industry by creating new markets for our growers and raising consumer awareness of both the remarkable variety and quality of the apples grown here in the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “This second major expansion of Potter’s Craft Cider is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its founders Tim Edmond and Dan Potter,”
“We are entering an exciting new chapter for Potter’s Craft Cider and are thrilled to be moving into a new production facility,” said Potter’s Craft Cider co-founder Tim Edmond. “We have immense gratitude for the support we have received from our community, the Commonwealth, and Albemarle County.”
“Potter’s Craft Cider is the quintessential economic development story for Albemarle County – an agribusiness with long roots in our community, which takes locally-grown apples, transforms them into a value-added product that not only supports farmers but also creates production jobs, further activates the rejuvenated Broadway District, and brings revenues into Albemarle County,” said Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Chair Donna Price. “From an economic development standpoint, it simply does not get any better than this!”
“The owners of Potter’s Craft Cider are role models for the nation’s small business community,” said Delegate Robert Bell. “Their resilience and ability to adapt during the challenges of the last few years allowed their operation to not just survive but thrive. This new expansion will further increase their positive impact on Virginia’s agritourism efforts.”
“Potter’s Craft Cider’s expansion near the Historic Woolen Mills District solidifies that area’s prominence as a craft beverage destination,” said Senator Creigh Deeds. “We are extremely grateful for Potter’s Craft Cider’s commitment to serving this community and for Tim and Dan’s vision and entrepreneurship, which has spurred agritourism and supported Virginia’s apple growers.”
Potter’s Craft Cider was established in 2011 by Princeton graduates Tim Edmond and Dan Potter as one of Virginia’s first, and now one of its most successful, hard cideries. Using Virginia-grown heirloom and traditional cider apples, the company is known for producing aromatic and innovative ciders in the dry, farmhouse-style. During the pandemic, Potter’s Craft Cider pivoted to increased wholesale distribution, while also making the most of their large outdoor tasting area at historic Neve Hall, a former Episcopalian church school built in 1924 located just south of I-64 in Albemarle County. The strategy was effective, with sales growing by 30% and their market presence expanding up and down the East Coast. Now with this new facility, which includes large new production tanks and an expanded canning line, the company can meet this increasing wholesale demand, while growing production efficiencies and achieving ever higher levels of quality control.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) partnered with Albemarle County to secure this project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin announced a discretionary award of $50,000 from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which is administered by VDACS. Albemarle County and the Albemarle County Economic Development Authority will match the grant with local funds.
