So I'm looking at an excellent building that is for sale, has a great feel and could be an great distillery/tasting room combo. I also have an industrial space I've looked at that would be better for production, whereI might as well forego any tasting room and open another small retail location for sales.(allowed in my state)
Here's the rub. the building I like has two apartments upstairs and two commercial space's downstairs.
I've read what I believe is every thread on here and everything published by the TTB and sent emails (as yet unanswered) asking about whether a commercial building with apartments upstairs would even be allowed. (I would categorize a separate commercial property a little different that a "structure attached to a residence", but what are the actual, ENFORCED rules. There seems to be some that have had different experiences. Everything I read is different except for the regulations which are vague at best.
Also, I'm wondering about the fire marshal and whether they will balk at the apartments. The apts rent for $1500/mos and cover the entire mortgage and taxes for the building. I may buy the property anyway and use the positive cash flow from all the spaces to pay for the distillery location, but it's an ideal spot and i would love to keep the apts if possible.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
SJD