Santa Fe Brewing clears city hurdle for Las Cruces taproom near NMSU
Santa Fe Brewing won Las Cruces approval for a taproom near NMSU that will include Fusion Taco, patio service and up to a dozen new jobs.
New Mexico’s oldest craft brewery plans to bring Fusion Taco, up to a dozen jobs and a community-focused taproom to 901 E. University Ave.
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - Santa Fe Brewing Co. is a step closer to opening its first Las Cruces taproom after City Council unanimously approved its liquor license request Monday, clearing a required waiver because the University Avenue location sits within 300 feet of New Mexico State University property.
The brewery plans to open at 901 E. University Ave., Building 945, Suite 3A — the former Bosque Brewing Co. location near the NMSU campus.
Santa Fe Brewing owner and CEO Brian Lock told council the company plans to create a community-oriented space, work with NMSU in some capacity and add one or two full-time jobs along with eight to 10 part-time positions.
Food will come from Fusion Taco, which Lock said operates more than 15 locations in northern New Mexico and will run the kitchen at the Las Cruces taproom.
“We partner with an organization called Fusion Taco,” Lock said. “They have 15-plus locations in the northern part of the state, so this will give them an opportunity to open a space down here.”
Founded in 1988, Santa Fe Brewing bills itself as New Mexico’s original craft brewery. Lock said the company operates five taprooms — three in Santa Fe and two in Albuquerque — and employs about 90 people. Its products are distributed throughout New Mexico as well as in El Paso, Arizona and Colorado.
The company also recently collaborated with Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery on a beer, Lock said, and plans to look for more opportunities to work with Las Cruces-area breweries.
“Our intention is to build a community-oriented space and partner with New Mexico State University in some capacity,” Lock said.
A 90-foot technicality
The city’s approval included more than the winegrower second-location liquor license itself.
Planning staff told council the proposed taproom is about 90 feet from NMSU property, triggering a state requirement generally separating liquor establishments from educational institutions by at least 300 feet.
The nearest actual university building, however, is more than 300 feet away. City staff said a local governing body may waive the distance requirement under state law.
Council’s approval granted both the liquor-license request and the associated waiver.
The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Division gave the application preliminary approval June 29. The license would allow on-premise consumption, package sales and patio service.
Councilor Becky Corran questioned why Santa Fe Brewing had to repeat the waiver process when Bosque Brewing previously operated at the same location.
City staff explained that liquor licenses attach to the proprietor rather than the property, meaning a new business must go through the approval process even when alcohol was previously sold at the same location.
Corran called the process bureaucratic in this instance but said she was enthusiastic about the brewery’s arrival.
Councilor Michael Harris also questioned whether portions of the state and city licensing process could eventually be streamlined.
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Support Organ Mountain NewsParking draws concern
One nearby property owner raised concerns during the public hearing about parking and additional traffic around the development, saying the area is already busy.
City staff said the shopping and business center meets city parking requirements. The property also sits within the University District overlay, which is intended to support a more pedestrian-oriented environment and allows for on-street parking in surrounding areas.
The resident remained concerned that customers could spill into nearby streets.
Council approved Resolution 27-030 by a 6-0 vote. Mayor Eric Enriquez was absent.
The city will notify the state of its approval, and the application will continue through the state licensing process before Santa Fe Brewing can receive its final liquor license.
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
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