Firefly Winery Looks to Establish Bold, Oaky Presence in Old Hilliard
2024 Looks to be a Very Good Year for Vino, Locally
Construction is to begin in July on a 4,300-square foot winery with a 700-square-foot covered patio at Grant and Franklin Streets in Old Hilliard.
Firefly Winery is expected to open in spring 2024 and will showcase a wide array of wines manufactured on-site, said co-owner Joe Hollabaugh.
Hollabaugh and his wife, Jennifer, are to own and operate the business, leasing the property from Westwood Collective.
Firefly Winery plans to have a small kitchen and offer a selection of cheese, dips, and bread.
While Firefly Winery is under construction, Westwood Collective is to build The Yard, a public and private park to be built between Firefly Winery and The Junction by Westwood, 5460 Franklin Street, according to Andy Warnock, managing partner of the Westwood Collective.
The Yard is to include an area to stage food trucks to provide dining options to patrons and other visitors to the Old Hilliard district, but is also to be leased for private events such as wedding receptions, Warnock said.
Hilliard City Council on May 8 approved a conditional use permit necessary for Firefly Winery to operate. The conditional use permit is specific to the parcel Firefly Winery is to occupy at 4071 Grant Street.
Hollabaugh and Warnock announced the concept of the winery at the site last year.
“As with most developments, prices are higher than when we announced the project but we are committed to making it work,” Warnock said.
Westwood Collective is to close on the acquisition of the last parcel on June 2, Warnock said.
Warnock’s company is also working with the city to identify a grant that is to be used to increase parking in the Old Hilliard district.
Westwood Collective has already received bid packages from contractors to perform the construction.
“The Old Hilliard District has enjoyed a decade of tremendous progress. We are glad to continue that momentum with (Hollabaugh’s) winery concept which will create another unique space to foster community,” Warnock said.
Hollabaugh said he looks forward to the start of construction.
“We think it’s the perfect location to complement everything else that has developed in downtown Hilliard,” said Hollabaugh, a Hilliard resident.
Hollabaugh describes Firefly Winery as an “urban winery,” one in which wine is manufactured, sampled and sold on-site but using raw ingredients shipped from a vineyard.
“We won’t be growing grapes here.”
Rather, Hollabaugh said he will purchase the raw materials from California, Washington and other places and use the ray materials to ferment and then bottle the wine on-site.
Two residences at the corner of Grant and Franklin Streets are to be demolished to make way for the construction of the winery.
Half of the area would be used for wine manufacturing and half would be used for wine tasting, a bar and kitchen, Hollabaugh said.
Patrons are to be able to view the wine manufacturing through a window between the gathering area and the production area.
Firefly Winery is the first private business endeavor for the couple into the wine-making arena but Hollabaugh has made his own wine for the past 15 years and has been a business partner in several other wineries in Ohio.
“I think we will bring something unique to the downtown (Hilliard) area by offering a winery in a large, urban area.”
Firefly Winery is to offer a wide election, from dry reds to sweet whites and everything in between.
“We will have all types; we don’t discriminate,” Hollabaugh said.
Firefly Winery is also to seek a liquor permit that would allow for the sale of beer and spirits.
Sounds like another nice addition to Downtown Hilliard