A sale is in the works that could result in activity in the former Jamestown Brewing Company building by as soon as March.

The county Industrial Development Agency approved a loan earlier this week to Wicked Jimmy’s LLC, owned by the owners of Wicked Warren’s, to support the purchase of the four-years vacant building at 115-121 W. Third St., Jamestown. Robert Roth, who is also majority owner of the initial Wicked Warren’s, will serve as president of the Jamestown operation while bringing a vice president and head brewer with more than 15 years experience along with a front of house and banquet manager with 12 years of experience from the Warren business.

Roth has plans to brew craft beer, serve food, host meetings and ballroom events, have live music, a “Speak Easy” room and a roof top bar in the future.

For too long, there has been too little activity at the corner of Third and Washington streets. The location is a key spot downtown, and it doesn’t speak well of downtown Jamestown to have such a key spot vacant for years on end. But even before the Jamestown Brewing Company closed, the former W.T. Grant Department Store building had been underutilized. Downtown needs things to attract people with disposable income – and a well run brewery should increase foot traffic.

Millions of dollars in public and private money have been spent at 115-121 W. Third St. It’s time for all of that investment to pay off.