Former Nocterra Brewing location in Powell could soon have a new operator, officials say

POWELL — Nocterra Brewing Company’s former flagship location in downtown Powell has sat vacant since Aug. 30, but a new operator could soon be on the way.

At Tuesday’s Powell Development Corporation (PDC) meeting, Sean Hughes, the city’s economic development director and PDC director, said an announcement about the space could be coming soon.

“Obviously, they’re not operational, and we should hear news shortly about a potential new operator in that space, hopefully for the holidays,” Hughes said.

Addressing City Manager Andy White, Hughes said city officials have already met with the prospective tenant.

“You’ve met the potential new tenant, and we have had several meetings with them,” Hughes said. “I think they’re going to be an incredible downtown partner. There’s a lot of exciting things I think they will bring to our downtown.”

Hughes did not identify the prospective tenant or say what type of business might occupy the space.

PDC chose not to renew grant for Nocterra

The discussion about Nocterra, located at 41 Depot St., came as the PDC board voted to void a $25,000 performance-based business retention and expansion grant previously awarded to the brewery.

The grant was part of a two-year agreement with Nocterra. In 2025, the brewery received $23,550 to help purchase a delivery vehicle and fulfilled the requirements for the first year of the agreement.

Under the agreement, Nocterra also committed to retaining 22.77 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and $1,230,650.47 in existing payroll at its Powell location.

The brewery also agreed to create three additional FTE positions and $150,000 in new payroll.

The board had also approved a grant of up to $25,000 for 2026 to cover “legal expenses to set up a distribution network in the Cleveland area, and possibly Dayton,” Hughes said.

With the business now closed, there is no longer a need for the grant’s intended purpose, so the board voted to void it.

“We’ll work out a potential new grant for the new users, if necessary, for their project to move forward in that building,” Hughes said.

The unused grant funds, along with money from three other voided facade grant agreements, will result in an $85,000 carryover into next year.

White said city staff previously discussed improvements to the property with building owner Daniel McClurg that would complement the city’s planned reconstruction of Depot Street, including new parking, lighting and sidewalks.

The project was slated to begin this fall, White said, but the schedule has been delayed further because asphalt must be poured before it’s cold.

Nocterra owners previously alluded to a comeback

Earlier in October, Nocterra’s website homepage was updated to display the message:“Something’s Brewing, Stay Tuned.”

The message is still there.

Nocterra Co-Owner Lori Duncan did not immediately respond to request for comment from Delaware Source, nor did anyone from the Nocterra phone number.

After Nocterra abruptly closed its doors Aug. 30, Co-Owners Lori and Bryan Duncan posted a statement to Facebook the next day:

“It’s no secret that sectors of the hospitality industry have been struggling, and we are not immune. While rumors have spread, we will not validate any of the information circulating as of today.”

That same day, building owner Dan McClurg posted a “For Lease” sign on the building.

McClurg previously told Delaware Source he had no prior notice about the closure and that he was “frustrated and annoyed” with how Nocterra handled the closing.

He also said he planned to lease the space to someone who will open a “good restaurant” or a “well-established brewery, not a start-up.”

McClurg also did not immediately respond to Delaware Source’s request for comment.