By Marion Filler and Kevin Coughlin
Dismal Harmony sounds like a song by Bob Dylan.
It’s actually by Bob Dillon, and he sang it Wednesday to the Morristown zoning board at its virtual meeting.
The Mendham resident wants to convert the former Cy’s Brakes, vacant for about a dozen years behind the Morristown diner, into a whiskey distillery.
A distillery is a permitted use at 77 Morris St., but Dillon needs variances because he lacks required parking and a loading zone. His proposal got a rough ride in July from the town planning board, which told his lawyer, Larry Calli, that he was before the wrong board.
None of this has deterred Dillon, whose optimism, enthusiasm, and bankroll has moved the project forward.
“We’re after all the foodies in Morristown,” said Dillon.
He expects patrons will spend $14 or $15 dollars for finely crafted whiskies and cocktails blended by Robbie, his “brilliant mixologist” from the Gladstone Tavern.
Dillon described himself as a serial entrepreneur, with a computer degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, an MBA from Columbia University, and several patents.
Brands he has worked with over the years have included TiVo, the digital video recording service, and DTS, the theatrical audio system created for Jurassic Park. His company Xperi is focused on streaming entertainment to vehicles.
But the Morristown venture is personal.
“Distilling for me is a hobby,” he said, “and I like whiskey. I want to do something I love in retirement.”
Dillon said he already has secured a federal license to manufacture these products, which he eventually hopes to sell to local restaurants–the End of Elm in Morristown has expressed interest, he said.
If the zoning board approves his plans, he said, he then must obtain a crafts distillery license from the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
Dillon envisions a tasting area and bar on the first floor, while the whiskey would be produced on weekends in the basement. Food cannot be sold on the premises, but patrons could have it delivered from nearby restaurants.
For him to serve liquor, he said, regulations would require patrons to take a tour on their first visit. After that, visitors could come in for tastings and cocktails before or after dining elsewhere.
A craft distillery is allowed to sell to retailers and wholesalers, and Dillon’s plan is to establish a local clientele and then sell to high end bars “when we have brand equity.”
In the meantime, Dillon has purchased a 100-gallon still, multiple cleaning and receiving vessels, and filtering and cooling equipment, all of which is in storage. Legal and licensing fees and a significant deposit to landlord Scotto Properties of Morristown for a five-year lease have added to his tab.
Dismal Harmony would complement the nearby Glenbrook Brewery, which opened in March, and further enhance Morristown’s reputation as one of New Jersey’s premiere dining destinations, Dillon said.
“We’re trying to create an experience,” he said.
Dillon has a soft spot for Morristown–his first date with his wife was at Asahi Sushi, a few doors down from the former Cy’s Brakes.
After exploring several locations in town, he said, this one seemed ideal because it’s near a Morristown Parking Authority lot where he’s always found convenient parking.
The board asked about water usage. Dillon did not have estimates handy, but he explained that reverse osmosis will purify the water and dilute the alcohol to make it drinkable.
Asked about odors, he said vapors would be captured in a closed loop system. Dillon also said that organic byproducts from the distillery would go to a Mendham farm for composting.
Questions about possible fungus problems and safety procedures to prevent explosions may be discussed when the hearing resumes next month.
Now about that name…
Dillon said his wife suggested they name the distillery for a local landmark. The Dismal and Harmony brooks intersect in a Mendham nature preserve. Combining the two seemed like a natural fit, with a creative tension of positive and negative.
“I just think it is evocative and beautiful,” Dillon said.
Virginia-Town Lane is the official name of the access street that enters Lot 10J from Morris St. I have a 3 page document describing the easement and a recent land survey that I would happily provide to you. I am available at the 89 Morris St property anytime.
@Peter Austin: An explanation of where Town Lane is and references to streets existing in 1949 when it became town property would be helpful to me.
cool use for the beaten down building over there.
The Glenbrook Brewery 2 doors from the location has proved to be very popular and is served by Municipal lot 10J. Would love to see property used for another small business to contribute to the allure of Morristown. I’m assuming that the proposed tenant is aware that there is no sewer line to the property and would require opening Morris St to connect-I know I had a section of additional sewer line run into street several years ago-overnight ordeal. All parking for Mtown Diner fronts the bldg. There already exists a severe hazard from delivery trucks unnecessarily blocking Town Lane-no one has shared shared my concerns. 89 Morris St has a comprehensive easement from 1949 on Town Lane when my grandfather gave the street to the Town. I had trucks here from an environmental company drilling test bores in the lane this week and the delivery trucks completely blocked passage of any traffic (Exxon property has accused 89 Morris St of contaminating site of the proposed new 7 11 store-I have spent $25,000 this month alone for legal and consultant costs added to already exorbitant amount to prove the property is not a source of their contaminants). It seems there’s some political aspect to environmental concerns-175 Morris St property was named as a Superfund site yet construction is under way at that location.