Developers Consider Brew Pub At Old Mansfield Chocolate Factory

MANSFIELD, MA — A developer's plan to transform the old Lowney Chocolate Factory into apartments and retail space could be completed by February 2020, according to an update the developers gave the Planning Board on March 13. Joe Welty, a representative with Red Leaf Development told the board the project plans for 130 apartment units, 19 of which are designated as affordable housing, and over 34,000 square feet of commercial space.

The space includes room for a restaurant, as well as offices, Wicked Local Mansfield reported. In the restaurant space, Welty said the property owners are still considering local officials' suggestions for a brew pub. Planning Board members brought up Bog Iron Brewery in Norton, as a potential tenant.

Welty said the owners are also still open to having a brew pub on the property as the original developers proposed and local officials have expressed support for. Board members suggested Bog Iron Brewery in Norton could be a potential tenant.

Red Leaf Development bought out the original developers Robert Palmer and Russell Barnaby, Wicked Local reported. Part of the reason for the meeting was that Welty wanted to request changes to the special permit the Planning Board approved in 2016. Requests included re-configuring parking, eliminating a proposed sitting wall area, and more. The Planning Board had concerns about eliminating the wall, arguing it would take away an area the public could enjoy. The developers and Planning Board will meet again March 27 to discuss permit modifications further.

For more on this story, check out Mansfield Wicked Local