Irving Farm breaks ground for roastery

Irving Farm Coffee Roasters owners and other staff gathered at the company’s future roastery site just north of NAPA Auto Parts on Route 22 for an official groundbreaking on Thursday, May 15.“The smell of coffee is going to be rolling over the hills here,” said Jack Baer, owner of United Construction & Engineering, the contractor on the job.Irving Farm co-owner Steve Leven said he hopes the roastery will be completed and in “full production” by November.Leven owns the company with David Elwell.The project started seven years ago with the land purchase, Leven said. Three years ago, the company began an approval process through the North East Planning Board. By late 2012, the process was complete.“It’s a big day for Irving Farm,” Leven said. “A seven-year project and it’s finally starting today.”The company is financing the project — a 7,600-square-foot structure, five times as big as the current roastery on Reagan Road in the town of North East — with Salisbury Bank & Trust Co.“This is the 18th year of the company,” said Teresa Von Fuchs, director of wholesale. “We’re growing up.”Fuchs said the company intends to host the public for frequent tours, classes and other community functions, leaving the roasting process exposed for any interested spectators.“In the old space it was difficult” to bring in the community, Fuchs said, due to overcrowding.Architect John Allee, co-owner of Millerton’s SCHOOL (Design Knowledge for the Home), described the future roastery as an “interesting building instead of just a functioning building,” indicating that the owners pushed the limits within their budget.“I’ve enjoyed working with David and Steve. They’re wonderful clients,” Allee said.For more information on the company, go to www.irvingfarm.com.

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