Case Study

NOVO Brazil Brewing tapped EDC for permitting support for new Mission Valley site

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ServiceRegulatory­/Permitting Support

FEBRUARY 2024

NOVO Brazil Brewing is an international, award-winning brewery based in the San Diego region known primarily for its kombucha and fun atmosphere. The brewer manages three restaurants, two tasting rooms, and brews craft beer and kombucha for customers in San Diego and across the globe.

As the brewer sought to double down on its local presence, NOVO tapped EDC’s Economic Development team for permitting support at its new Mission Valley location.

novobrew.com

CHALLENGE

In May 2023, NOVO reached out to EDC regarding its 11,500 square foot Mission Valley project. Set to support 50 jobs and play host to thousands of San Diegans and sports fans weekly, the project was experiencing bottlenecks in the permitting process causing costly delays. This challenge required further assistance to identify the underlying issues, including determining whether they needed a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the new space.

As an EDC investor and alum of the MetroConnect export accelerator program, NOVO was well acquainted with the ways the organization could support its regional growth.

EDC SOLUTION AND SUPPORT PROVIDED

Closely tied to the City of San Diego, EDC quickly connected NOVO to the City’s Economic Development Department and to a direct point of contact to clarify next steps in the permitting process. As such, NOVO received critical and timely permit status updates from the City.

VALUE DERIVED

With EDC’s support, NOVO was able to obtain the information it needed to move forward without further delay in its permitting process, resulting in the grand opening of its new restaurant and sports bar at its new site in Mission Valley in January 2024.

Presenting a major step in the revitalization of the mall, NOVO’s new bar-restaurant sports more than 100 feet of 1.5-millimeter pixel pitch LED video walls along with 25 JBL speakers providing surround sound for the ultimate game-watching experience.

“The permitting process can be very complex and difficult to navigate, but with EDC’s help we were connected to the necessary people to find answers. Our partnership with EDC and WTCSD has been critical to our growth and success in the San Diego region.”

— Hugo Thomaz, Director of Operations, NOVO Brazil Brewing

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