Tug Hill Artisan Roasters Opens at Historic Site
Deal News | Jul 11, 2025 | New York Ventures Inc
Empire State Development announced the opening of Saint Drogo's Coffee & Bakehouse in Lowville, revitalizing a long-abandoned building with the help of the Restore NY Communities Initiative. The $1.35 million project transformed the historic Lewis County Jail and Sheriff's Residence into a mixed-use commercial and residential space, housing Tug Hill Artisan Roasters and short-term rental apartments. The project received significant funding from the Empire State Development's Restore NY Initiative and the New York Main Street Program. This endeavor is part of a broader effort to revive downtown Lowville by fostering economic growth, preserving historic structures, and creating new business opportunities. Tug Hill Artisan Roasters, a business started in 2017 by Scott Gilbert and Vanessa Gilbert at their home, plays a central role in this development, aiming to enhance food production, tourism, and local entrepreneurship. The funding supported substantial renovations, including repairing the wraparound porch and refurbishing the parking area, ultimately contributing to community revitalization and economic development.
Sectors
- Economic Development
- Food & Beverage
- Real Estate
Geography
- United States – The project and developments described in the article took place in New York, United States.
- New York – Specific focus is on Lowville, New York, where the revitalization project took place.
Industry
- Economic Development – The article focuses on the revitalization of an historic structure and economic growth activities led by Empire State Development.
- Food & Beverage – Saint Drogo’s Coffee & Bakehouse and Tug Hill Artisan Roasters operate in the food and beverage sector, contributing to local dining and tourism.
- Real Estate – The restoration and development of the old jail into a mixed-use property fall under the real estate sector.
Financials
- $1.35 million – Total cost of the project to rehabilitate and restore the historic structure.
- $900,000 – Funding contribution by Empire State Development's Restore NY Initiative.
- $188,000 – Funding from the New York Main Street Program.
- $10 million – Grant awarded to the Village of Lowville through the NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empire State Development | Funding Provider/Promoter | Government | Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency. |
| Saint Drogo's Coffee & Bakehouse | Business/End-User | Company | A new business set up as part of the revitalization project. |
| Tug Hill Artisan Roasters | Business/End-User | Company | A coffee roastery business started by Scott and Vanessa Gilbert. |
| New York State Homes and Community Renewal | Funding Provider | Government | Administers the New York Main Street Program. |
| Scott Gilbert | Owner | Person | Owner of Tug Hill Artisan Roasters and co-investor in the development. |
| Vanessa Gilbert | Owner | Person | Owner of Tug Hill Artisan Roasters and co-investor in the development. |
| Hope Knight | President, CEO and Commissioner | Person | Representative of Empire State Development. |
| RuthAnne Visnauskas | Housing Commissioner | Person | Representative of New York State Housing. |
| Danny Salmon | Mayor of Lowville | Person | Mayor of the Village of Lowville, involved in local development efforts. |