Here’s 3 Spaces Back Shed Could Move Into ‘Immediately’

I was settling down to eat after a day riding the Soo Line Friday evening when I saw the news on social media that the Crafts Direct building had been sold, and now Back Shed Brewing was pondering its future. I spent the weekend thinking about some spaces that could bring in Back Shed almost immediately, keeping the local brewery in business.

First off this is all speculation, I have ZERO inside knowledge on this, but I do know that there are some empty spaces around Central Minnesota, specifically the St. Cloud area that need to get filled.

As I was thinking about possible spaces for a Back Shed move, I did take into consideration what the current brewery has for amenities and space, as well as future considerations for what could become if the business were to move.

• Former Whit's Craft building in downtown St. Cloud - I know it's smaller than what Back Shed has currently out in Waite Park, but the infrastructure is there. With all the lines that were run for the beer, I'm guessing the coolers/chillers are still there. This would be the easiest from a retail standpoint for Back Shed, but I don't think there is enough space for brewing. This leads me to spot #2.

• A former Electrolux building in St. Cloud - The Electrolux facility on the North side of town has been vacant for years, there are plenty of buildings that are in good enough repair, that Back Shed might be interested in a full building. It would offer plenty of space to brew, allowing for the expansion of brewing, and or a kitchen possible for the brewery. Honestly, they could also have a space for food trucks indoors, and rent out the space quarterly. (Take my idea seriously and run with it).

• Friends Bar and Restaurant - Waite Park. I don't know what the space that formerly held Friends will become. It's a large enough footprint where you might be also to retrofit the kitchen into a brewing area, and then you've got a prefabbed retail space with the dining portion.

Once again these are all suggestions, with no factual basis behind any of the suggestions.

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I hope Back Shed stays open in some form.