7 Brew, The Union projects advance as Morganton logs $4 million in July construction

July construction activity wrapped up at over $4 million, with a building permit for a popular coffee chain project included in the mix of Morganton’s monthly construction permit report.

The permit, requested by JBS Management Group, LLC, was approved on July 1 for $750,000 of new construction for a coffee shop with a drive-through at 918 Burkemont Ave. The parcel will be home to 7 Brew, a national coffee brand that specializes in drive-through service.

The project has been in the works for nearly a year, as the zoning application was submitted to the city last August for the Burkemont Avenue location, which is home to the former Foothills Dental office.

An official opening date for the 7 Brew has not been announced, according to a blog post from the company, though grand openings typically generate long lines for giveaways, discounted drinks, or free beverage promotions for early customers.

7 Brew offers a variety of coffee drinks, energy drinks, teas, lemonades, and blended beverages. The closest location is in Hickory, at 1858 U.S. 70 SE, which opened in early June.

Commercial activity drove construction value in July, with 35 permits making up $2.59 million of the total value. At nearly 30%, 73 residential permits accounted for $1.21 million. At about 6.2%, government project values totaled $253,000. Permitted construction values dropped about $3 million from June’s activity.

COMMERCIAL PROJECTS

Construction is ongoing at The Union American Grill, which is expected to open at 112 W. Union St. by next spring. Two mechanical permits show updates to the fire suppression system to match equipment under the kitchen hood and to replace the cooler evaporator, freezer evaporator, and condenser unit.

Permits for other commercial projects included:

• Ingles: A permit for $144,000 worth of work shows ongoing work to upfit the store’s fire sprinkler system to accommodate the new floor plan and ceiling layout. The company plans to swap the deli and produce sections at its location on Carbon City Road.
• Case Farms: A building permit shows $113,500 worth of work for a structural steel platform to house and support vacuum pumps at the facility on Rand Street.
• UNC Health Blue Ridge: Two building permits show $98,000 worth of work for widening on the third and fifth floors between the towers.
• Packaging Corporation of America: Two permits, one for building and one for mechanical, show $62,500 worth of work for more storage.
• Epic Speakeasy: A permit shows $20,000 worth of work for a deck extension at the business on South King Street.

RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS

While residential permits outnumbered commercial, the construction value was generally less. The median residential project was $8,000, compared with the $15,000 commercial median. The largest residential project was $250,000 for a new single-family residence.

Work has been ongoing at Grace Ridge Retirement Community in Morganton to renovate several apartments. Three building permits show renovations for apartments on two floors. Much of the other residential work was related to HVAC change-outs, electrical work, plumbing, decks, and other smaller renovations.

GOVERNMENT PROJECTS

Western Piedmont Community College has been working on several renovation projects, including $870,587 for plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work in the cosmetology department, which is moving to the Jim Richardson Complex.