This story was originally published March 5, 2019.

Clemson's first brewery could be opening in the next year at the site of the old Astro III theater building.

Pavilion Development Company purchased the building at 403 College Ave. in November, Michael McDonald, the senior vice president for the company, told Clemson City Council on Monday.

Pavilion is also working on the Good Shepherd Hotel, a project slated for farther up the street. The brewery site will provide additional parking for the hotel.

Paul Cain, one of the owners of the Clemson Brewery LLC, which will run the brewery, said the plan is to renovate the building and not tear it down. The new business, called Magnetic South Brewing Co., will use some of the existing theater elements for live music, movies and showing sporting events, Cain said.

"We aim to breathe life back into an iconic building," Cain said of the theater, which first opened in 1971 and closed in 2008.

Cain said the brewery is a $3 to $4 million investment that create about 20 jobs.

"Our project will add value to the community; we are very confident of that," Cain said. "We aim to serve all residents in Clemson — families, professionals, retirees as well as our seniors."

McDonald said they are trying to begin construction between August and September, and he estimates the building renovation will take about five to six months. He intends to submit plans to the city's board of architectural review by March 12.

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Planning for hotel project is also moving along but will not be completed until later, with construction taking an estimated 16 months, McDonald said.

Part of the hotel concept is to employ special-needs adults. Cain said he has had initial discussions about the potential for creating similar employment opportunities at the brewery.

"I would love to work with ClemsonLIFE to employ folks," Cain said. "As we get closer to looking at operational functions, there is a good chance we will see a partnership there."

In September 2018, the city council dedicated 7,000 gallons of wastewater treatment capacity from the expansion of the Cochran Road facility for the brewery project.

Adam Willier, the co-head brewer for Thomas Creek Brewery LLC, will serve as the brewer for Magnetic South Brewing Co. Willier said his goal is to develop beer "anyone can drink," from an experienced craft beer drinker to someone new to market.

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