Women will rule Amicus Brewing which was once Tallahassee’s former Waterworks building. Four families have taken over this historic site and will be turning it into a brewery.

Earlier this month, the owner and developer of North American Properties sold the L-shaped, 1-acre patch of land to an all female-owned brewing company.

Most of the building will remain untouched but the women plan on making some renovations, although nothing has been finalized yet.

Everything is set to be completed and open in early 2023.

“Tallahassee has had some great breweries for years, but we’re feeling that draw to go to breweries as an outing,” said Alison Denny, one of the owners. “People want to go and support local businesses. I think the pandemic pushed people even further in that direction … People are becoming more and more appreciative of the micro-brewery experience.”

The four families — Laura and Shaun York, Mary and Sheldon Steen, Laura and Tom Barrett and Alison and Tim Denny — formed Amicus Brewing Ventures. They met at church, vacation together and bonded over craft beer.

The old Waterworks site was the city’s first water system in the 19th century when Tallahassee relied on wells and cisterns. The city sold the property to NAP for $408,000 in 2018.

“NAP utilized the property for storage and parking knowing that as soon as Cascades opened, the Waterworks (site) would be ready to repurpose,” McIntyre said. “We had often said the best use would be a place where the public can visit and see the unique building.”