Smoke, pandemic, Almeda Fire, lack of workers force end to 26-year run
Standing Stone Brewing Co. will permanently close its family-owned brew pub at 101 Oak St. in Ashland at the close of business on Sunday, May 29, it announced on its website Tuesday, May 10.
The end of its 26-year run comes after a series of challenging years.
“Starting with heavily smoke-filled summers in 2018 and ’19, coupled with the start of a global pandemic and the devastating 2020 Almeda Fire, we have found ourselves in an arduous position,” says the announcement, run under the headline, “Goodbyes are never easy.” And then, it continues, “A challenging job market (in which many hospitality workers chose to leave the industry), increased cost of goods and a vast decline in tourism, are all contributing factors to this difficult but carefully considered decision.”
To thank the community for its support, Standing Stone plans to host a farewell celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 29, with pints priced at $3, “just as they were on opening day back in 1997!”
The announcement concludes: “It is with profound gratefulness that we raise a pint and say, ‘Cheers Stone Family, it’s been a great run!’”
Source: Website post on standingstonebrewing.com. Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at [email protected] or call or text him at 541-631-1313.
