EAST PALESTINE, Ohio – A brewery-distillery will open next year in the former freight depot on West Taggart Street.
Black Diamond Brewery and Distillery, headquartered in Nelsonville and with seven locations in southern Ohio, will seek bids for the renovation work within weeks, Michelle Robinson, a company spokesperson, said in a news release.
The depot sits along the tracks in the northern Columbiana County that was upended by the 2023 derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train that released dangerous chemicals and drew national attention.
The city has been attempting to mount a comeback since then and sees the Black Diamond announcement as a major advancement.
The East Palestine location falls in line with the corporate philosophy of Black Diamond, which seeks to restore and repurpose historic properties in Ohio.
“East Palestine represents everything we look for in a community – strong local pride, momentum and an appreciation for quality,” Robinson said. “We are excited to bring the Black Diamond experience to East Palestine and deliver the same level of craftsmanship, hospitality and culinary excellence that our guests have come to expect.”
The project is a public-private partnership between the distillery and redevelopment agencies in the area, including the East Palestine Community Improvement Corp.
“The fact that Black Diamond takes pride in honoring the history of the communities they do business in and recognizes the importance of our revitalization makes them a perfect partner for the EPCIC,” said Barb Herriott, EPCIC president. “We look forward to seeing new life in the freight depot and having the excitement that Black Diamond will bring to downtown East Palestine. Thank you for believing in this village.”
Antonio Diaz-Guy, village manager, acknowledged that transforming an old train station into a modern restaurant is no small task.
“You’re working to integrate today’s utilities into a building that predates them, but that challenge makes this milestone all the more meaningful,” he said. “With the support of the Columbiana County commissioners, the Columbiana County Port Authority and the East Palestine Community Improvement
Corp. – who have been instrumental in securing funding and guiding the process – we’ve been able to move this project forward the right way.”
Funding for the project has already been earmarked. In March, the state development department announced it will award $250,000 in Flexible Grant Program funds to rehabilitate the East Palestine train depot.
The exterior of the train depot had already been renovated by Norfolk Southern as part of a settlement agreement with the village. Norfolk Southern donated the structure to the village.
Black Diamond was founded as a historic redevelopment company focused on revitalizing communities throughout southeastern Ohio. It has since grown into a diversified hospitality group. Through strategic investment and the adaptive reuse of historic properties, the company has opened restaurants and taprooms that have become anchors for community development.
To support its vision, Black Diamond formed an incubator partnership with Hocking College in Nelsonville. It produces craft beer and distilled spirits in that city, which is about 10 miles from Athens.
Black Diamond operates Black Diamond Prime Steakhouses in Johnstown and Circleville, along with taproom locations in Circleville, Shawnee, Nelsonville, Greenfield, Waverly and Marietta.
The East Palestine location will build upon the success of the taproom concept, according to Robinson.
Pictured at top: This image of the East Palestine train depot, created by Black Diamond, depicts what the structure will look like when it opens. Black Diamond’s logo is on the side wall.