r/grandrapids • u/relong76 • Mar 03 '25
Another brewery gone too soon. RIP Creston.
This one hurts. I LOVED the beer, the food, and the people! :(
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u/cdirksen John Ball Park Mar 03 '25
I heard from a staff member that this announcement is the same time they found out. A real bummer for sure. Creston worked hard to stay up, and their beers always outshined Saugatuck’s. It was an incredible space.
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u/TheOBrien2018 NW Mar 03 '25
Can confirm. Wife worked there. Found out via Facebook she doesn’t anymore.
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u/sufjanuarystevens Mar 03 '25
That’s kinda messed up… the staff should be the first to know
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u/CecilFieldersChoice2 Mar 03 '25
I was once on a school board of a school in danger of closing. It did and I learned about it on the news.
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u/PerfectiveVerbTense Mar 03 '25
It sucks but staff not finding out ahead of time is kind of the norm, from what I understand. A million years ago when I was washing dishes, I showed up to work to see a sign on the door that said the restaurant was closed permanently. Terrible but not surprising.
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u/ancillarycheese Mar 03 '25
It’s unfortunately very standard. The business wants a few days. If they announce it they know they will lose their staff so fast they won’t be able to open once word gets out.
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u/DJ-dicknose Mar 04 '25
This happens way more often than you'd think.
When the downtown bagger daves closed, we (I worked at that property, but not at bagger saves) knew days in advance they would be closing. They did not tell their employees until that day when they came into work. It sucked knowing and not being able to tell them
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u/rotorhead123 Mar 04 '25
Legit - staff, wherever you end up let us know! You were by far the biggest reason we went there!
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u/thegingerbeardman89 Mar 04 '25
Close friend of mine works there. Also found out via this post.
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u/cdirksen John Ball Park Mar 04 '25
I suspect we have the same close friend.
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u/thegingerbeardman89 Mar 04 '25
I suspect so. Didn't even notice your username lol till just now. Don't think mine leaves a lot of mystery either ;)
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u/bb0110 Mar 03 '25
A closure is not typically a planned thing. The owners tend to bleed money until a true boiling point where they say we can’t do it anymore and announce the closure to everyone. They likely weren’t planning this closure for weeks, they likely were trying to claw and stay afloat until the very last minute.
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u/cjaykay Mar 03 '25
Which is fair, but they should have at least emailed their employees to tell them. Obviously they had time to make a press release and a Facebook post but not email current staff.
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u/damnation_sule Creston Mar 04 '25
From what I heard they called an employee meeting today then said you're all fired and we're closing.
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u/cjaykay Mar 04 '25
Interesting! They absolutely didn't call at least some of the employees. Maybe that was the managers but servers etc were not told at all.
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u/cdirksen John Ball Park Mar 03 '25
I’m not a business owner, but that sounds irresponsible, and likely not the case here. Saugatuck Brewing owns what was Creston Brewery and is a larger brand with a CEO that worked for 20 years at Anhauser Busch. We saw a business owner bleed until their last possible day in Creston with Fat Boy. This was bad business.
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u/Tom_Leykis_Fan Mar 04 '25
We saw a business owner bleed until their last possible day in Creston with Fat Boy.
You act like some private equity goon owned Fat Boy when the reality was it's simply an antiquated business and business model for 2025.
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u/cdirksen John Ball Park Mar 04 '25
Definitely not saying Fat Boy was the same situation or a Private Equity situation. I was using it to contrast with Creston/Saugatuck’s situation. Fat Boy for sure had its challenges whether they chose to adapt or not, and the owners seemingly kept it open as long as they possibly could withstand.
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u/AltDS01 Wyoming Mar 03 '25
2nd Brewery closure of the year.
3 Gatos in Wyoming, now Creston.
We're down like 10 since I moved here 9 years ago, no new ones in the last 3 or 4.
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u/Fappy_as_a_Clam Mar 03 '25
The craft beer scene is slowing down, no question about that.
Millennials aren't drinking as much beer, it seems a ton of us have switched to spirits are just cut way back in general, and Gen Z'ers just aren't drinking nearly as much as previous generations and when they do it's seltzers and stuff like that.
Craft beer had a solid 20 year run, but all good things come to an end, and the market is going to correct for that.
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u/PerfectiveVerbTense Mar 03 '25
The shift away from alcohol/beer for the younger generation is a good thing from a public health perspective but it's definitely going to be (already is) disruptive.
I'm glad to have lived through the craft beer boom. It was a fun time to be into beer. Now it seems a lot of the cornerstone craft brewers have either sold out or closed, and it's getting tougher for the little guys.
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u/Fappy_as_a_Clam Mar 03 '25
I agree on all that.
And honestly, I can't even blame the ones that sold out. If someone offered me true generational wealth I'd do it too. I imagine it's hard to say no to that.
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u/PerfectiveVerbTense Mar 03 '25
For sure. It's a bummer, but the main reason most people start a business is to make money. Ideally the product is something you also are passionate about in it's own right, but I think it's unfair for consumers like me to judge someone too harshly for making a shitload of money when they have the chance. Most of us would do the same thing if given the chance.
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u/DaYooper Heritage Hill Mar 04 '25
is a good thing from a public health perspective
It would be if the reason wasn't that they don't leave their parents' house to socialize at all.
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Mar 03 '25
No kidding, been to founders lately?
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u/Fappy_as_a_Clam Mar 03 '25
Funny enough, before I moved to GR I made sure to hit Founders every time I visited. Since I moved here I've been to founders like twice. In 9 years.
So, no I haven't been to Founders lately lol is it all old people?
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u/VacayJavier Mar 04 '25
It is not really ‘founders’ anymore
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u/BfutGrEG Mar 04 '25
Gen Z'ers just aren't drinking nearly as much as previous generations
Too many drugs to choose from, why choose Alcohol?
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u/Smorgas_of_borg Mar 03 '25
I mean it was only a matter of time before the oversaturation of the market started to affect things. The first half of the 2010s saw a glut of small breweries open but very few of them really stood out, mostly just pumping out yet-another-IPAs. Even now it's ridiculous how much of any brewery's offering is some form of overly-hopped pale ale. It was a good business back in the days of handlebar mustaches tattooed on index fingers and stomp-clap music emanating from iPods, but there aren't enough hipsters who drink IPA solely to brag about it left to support all the breweries we have anymore.
Only the biggest or most innovative breweries in town are going to survive the next decade. Craft beer was a fad.
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u/PieTight2775 Mar 03 '25
Craft beer isn't a fad it's been around prior to the 70s and was reborn in the 70s. A corner brewery in every neighborhood was never sustainable and perhaps expansion in that regard was the fad.
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u/mchgndr Mar 04 '25
So tired of this idea that only bearded hipsters drink IPAs. It’s the number one selling style of craft beer in the country. Sorry you don’t like em, but clearly tons of people do. They make what sells.
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u/Smorgas_of_borg Mar 04 '25
Except breweries are dropping like flies and the market is shrinking, so apparently it's not selling.
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u/7824c5a4 Creston Mar 03 '25
Shit man, that's my neighborhood brewery. That really sucks.
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u/jonbailey13 Creston Mar 03 '25
I literally moved to the neighborhood 4 weeks ago :(
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u/Beneficial_Act_5919 Mar 03 '25
Welcome! I recommend joining the CNA newsletter (you don’t have to pay for a membership) and checking out some other great Creston staples including
-2RST: Clothing store with bagged coffee and events
-Mizzizi: Birria tacos, burritos, and fusion food
-Ikers Tacos: Formally La Huasteca, a Creston staples
-Gaia: Vegetarian restaurant with a lounge and limited coffee bar
-Sparrows: Coffee shop attached to Kingmas market
-Rez Lounge: Darkly lit bar with gumbo and other southern inspired food
-Graydons Crossing: British pub with weekend brunch
-Choo choo grill: Closing soon, but a testament to old vintage diners
-The Good Good Good: Natural wine bar and flower shop with immaculate vibes
-New City Cafe: Open on Thursdays in the summer, serves pizza and baked goods while supporting kids and urban farming in your community
And coming soon: Fika , a gluten free and vegetarian restaurant opening soon in the neighborhood!
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u/NutsackGravy Mar 03 '25
Switchback is a great place for a beer and a hang. Not just a bike shop, but a great one at that!
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u/JimNasium1361 Mar 03 '25
On Wednesdays they have craft & draft night, so you can show up with a project you're working on and drink beer!
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u/Greeneyesablaze Creston Mar 03 '25
-Ikers Tacos: Formally La Huasteca
Wait really ?! I had no idea
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u/Beneficial_Act_5919 Mar 04 '25
Yes! I meant formerly , when they reopened they decided to change their name as a tribute for their son who passed away.
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u/Greeneyesablaze Creston Mar 04 '25
Haha my brain autocorrected and understood what you meant. Good to know! I missed the memo and thought they closed permanently.
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u/Input_Port_B Mar 03 '25
Choo Choo is closing?! 😭
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u/Beneficial_Act_5919 Mar 03 '25
The building is for sale and the owners are looking to retire. Go there while you still can!
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u/Cellarzombie Northview Mar 04 '25
But if you’re even remotely chubby, don’t plan on being able to fit into any of the tiny, tiny, tiny booths. Seating at the counter is just as bad. Unfortunately.
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u/CaidenP Mar 04 '25
Adding River North to this list! Rachel (the owner) and company are so nice and the food & vibes are AWESOME. They are hosting a nonprofit night Wednesday in support of the CNA too.
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u/courtesyflusher Mar 03 '25
Graydon’s Crossing is your saving grace!
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u/partydanimull Mar 03 '25
They've went pretty far downhill in my opinion. It used to be one of my favorites.
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u/MarkItZeroDonnie Mar 03 '25
They used to have some bomb fish n’ chips , is that still true ?
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u/ReasonableWinter7062 Mar 04 '25
Just went there a couple weeks ago. Hadn't been since maybe new year (I don't live close at all). Food still rocked, seemed like a lot of the same bar staff. New menu items seemed like a good fit too.
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u/The_Big_Peck_1984 Mar 03 '25
The food and beer were pretty mid, but the atmosphere was on point, just a good space to be in.
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u/False_Jackfruit_1197 Mar 03 '25
Closed with absolutely no warning to employees.
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u/raweedshallace Mar 04 '25
And absolutely no warning to me, who was going to have a wedding reception there next month hahah
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u/mak_nchz Mar 04 '25
At the brewery or the space on top?
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u/raweedshallace Mar 04 '25
At Golden Age, the space on top. Assuming that is closing as well but haven’t been able to confirm that yet
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u/gb187 Mar 03 '25
That really sucks. It's going to be a tough year for the breweries. Many people moved to the dispensaries and smoke at home now, it's cheaper.
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u/DaYooper Heritage Hill Mar 04 '25
All that telling them early would do would be giving them an opportunity to steal things.
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u/JarbaloJardine Mar 04 '25
Wow! You're a jerk. It would also allow them to start looking for new employment and getting ready to sign up for unemployment.
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u/guenchy Mar 03 '25
I guess my gift cards I have and gave as presents are a sunk cost now. Wish they gave people till the end of the month or at least two weeks.
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u/TheOBrien2018 NW Mar 03 '25
Can probably use at Saugatuck if that location didn’t close. Not ideal if you don’t go that way but an idea.
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u/ExcitingDiamond2092 Mar 04 '25
Same here, my gift card was apparently a donation - maybe I’ll try and write it off?
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u/Beneficial_Act_5919 Mar 03 '25
So sudden, they didn’t announce this ahead of time for staff and anyone who might have wanted to go one last time. They pulled in a lot of foot traffic. I imagine the nearby businesses will be impacted heavily.
They also hosted the CNA pancake breakfast and the indoor artisan market for Lights on Creston. Such a shame for what I had considered a staple in the Creston neighborhood.
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u/RickRilled Mar 03 '25
This is actually so sad. Creston has been coming up for years and has fought back from nothing. Plus the kitchen had some amazing talent. Sad day indeed.
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u/OddNecessary9551 Mar 03 '25
Saugatuck buried them. Took all the new equipment and let them die. Sad times
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u/jollylikearodger Mar 03 '25
Surprising with the housing that went in where the break room used to be. Hopefully it d9esnt turn i to another red ball Cafe thing where it sits empty for years.
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u/guenchy Mar 03 '25
You know it will be - its too big of a building to pay the tax shit on alcohol. Creston should have just moved to red ball jet into a smaller building.
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u/Additional-Bus-6930 Mar 03 '25
The brewery bubble is popped. Probably popped about 4 to 5 years ago. next one to close will be the west side cedar springs brewery location. mark my words.
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u/lussiecj Mar 04 '25
I can’t imagine their operating costs are that high. It’s usually one bartender in there. Not sure about the rent cost in that area though. I would think the rapid river stillhouse across the street would bring in more traffic. My wife and I like bringing our 18 month old there bc we know it’s usually dead..
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u/MrExtravagant23 Mar 03 '25
Gonna miss that spicy chicken sandwich 😭
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u/relong76 Mar 03 '25
It's the BEST in GR, that's for sure! First meal I ever had there a few years back.
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u/DetroitZamboniMI West Grand Mar 03 '25
They’re also closing their Kalamazoo taproom as well
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u/iron_cam86 Mar 03 '25
Yeah, I think this is probably due to some internal issues at SBC. Not Creston specifically. They probably thought, time to reevaluate and get back to our roots.
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u/KzooKid Mar 04 '25
Closed. It never reopened after the fire last year.
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u/DetroitZamboniMI West Grand Mar 04 '25
Right. But they announced it won’t reopen in the stories in the media.
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u/countrygolden Mar 03 '25
That's a bummer, fingers crossed that with all the new apartments going up nearby that the space doesn't stay empty for long.
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u/shok_antoinette Westside Connection Mar 03 '25
The future is looking bleak with these brewery and restaurant closings. What's going to go in there? Who in their right mind is going to start up a brewery or restaurant right now? These buildings are going to stay empty until the economy is better and the future is secure.
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u/EatTheCakeBetch Mar 03 '25
Anyone know about their event space? I have a 500 dollar deposit down for golden age in June.
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u/guenchy Mar 03 '25
I assume that is closing too. Do you see any upcoming comedy shows or anything upstairs? That bar was all creston food and drink up top. I don't see how it could be open without the brewery.
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u/texascountry125 Creston Mar 04 '25
I just wanna say I’m super super crushed. I would r say that their beer was the top of the market, but it was good and so was the food. My friends and I I don’t think missed a Monday there for mug club since August.
I really wish I could have gone and had one more bokonon.
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u/ExtremelyPeculiar Mar 03 '25
I’ve been close to this brewery from the get-go, this one really hurts. They had so many amazing menus over the years, I still miss their sweet potato tacos with their array of hot sauces. They had so many amazing shows and performances, like Creston Vibes with Kyd Kane and Brie. I feel like Creston Brewery has been the heart of Creston Neighborhood for years now so this is a pretty tough loss. RIP Creston Brewery 🖤😢
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u/SlothTimeBestTime Creston Mar 03 '25
My husband and I bought a mug club membership like 3 freaking weeks ago man... 😭 I'm really bummed because I loved that place and our neighborhood lost another good one, but I'm so pissed we just flushed $100! And yeah "it's still good for the other location" but I'm not going to drive 45 minutes weekly...
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u/lillibrarian19 Mar 03 '25
Same here, two memberships in our household. And it was such a good deal on Monday nights. Really sad about losing this place.
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u/whatlineisitanyway Mar 03 '25
If you haven't paid that bill yet you could try calling your credit card company and asking for them to void the transaction.
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u/pmpkineaterDD Mar 05 '25
Challenge the charge! Did they give you any piece of paper that outlines the rules, a contract so to speak? I'd dispute that charge no matter what. Worst thing the bank/credit card company says no.
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u/hippotango Mar 03 '25
Getting out while the getting is still okay... the economy is heading into free fall people. Wake up.
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u/Frylock_91 Mar 03 '25
Sucks for the employees, but the beer wasn't so great after the change in ownership.
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u/lillibrarian19 Mar 03 '25
Really sad about this one. We just renewed our mug club memberships last month. Mug club night there was a bargain, and they were really busy last Monday evening. 😩
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u/Altruistic-Tart8567 Mar 04 '25
They had to have bled so much money on Mondays - dollar beers and $25 gift cards made for an incredible mug club. But if Monday was the busiest day, you're probably losing money.
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u/damnation_sule Creston Mar 04 '25
With a heavy heart they dismissed the staff from one moment to the next. No notice, no nothing. Saugatuck Brewing showing their quality.
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u/CapitalM-E Mar 03 '25
This really sucks, Creston Brewing was by far the best bar in Creston. I wish I knew ahead of time, I would have had one last Bokanon
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u/OkPermission1626 Mar 03 '25
Damn, they owe me money.
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u/Adorable-Lemon-4481 Mar 04 '25
The old owners stiffed my company about $400
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u/parker3309 Mar 05 '25
Sue for it. If they are claiming bankruptcy, you might get paid
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u/Adorable-Lemon-4481 Mar 05 '25
It was the old owners and there is no point in spending more money chasing bad money especially at that amount. Just wrote it off.
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Mar 03 '25 edited Mar 06 '25
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u/Alternative-Money582 Mar 03 '25
That sucks. Food and drinks were good. And some live entertainment.
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u/sooper_dooperest Mar 03 '25
I enjoyed going there with the weekly run club on occasion, always had a super nice server, but they screwed me on my mug club bday gift which is the largest benefit you get all year, saying I used 2024-25’s benefit during my 2023 bday (??). Many calls & emails seeking a resolution went unanswered. I figured their books & back of house must’ve been run terribly too. It’s still a bummer to lose them from the neighborhood… I think with the trump-induced economic uncertainty/recession the space might sit unused. Fingers crossed that something eventually uses it. Love those big street-side windows. RIP, even though they screwed me, not to mention the original investors pre-saugatuck brewing buy-out.
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u/smaquemyass Mar 03 '25
I was just thinking about how the run club was gonna show up tonight to find the doors closed.
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u/CacophonousSensor1um Mar 04 '25
Wow.... I just shot a variety show upstairs for Midwest Gold Records last week. Absolutely no indication that Creston would be done 5 days later.... 🥲
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u/HerpsAndHobbies Mar 03 '25
It seems like Creston closed before the new ones go into effect, so the cause is different, but…say it with me: T A R I F F S
https://wghn.com/2025/02/28/breweries-say-aluminum-tariffs-could-be-a-problem/
I’m worried this is just a sign of things to come.
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u/parker3309 Mar 05 '25
I live in Creston, and although I didn’t frequent it every time I drove by it seem to be quite busy just last week even. But it’s not cheap running a business, so I guess they couldn’t stay afloat. I’m sorry to see that I happen to any business.
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u/Unlikely-Collar4088 Mar 06 '25
Unpopular opinion but Creston was purchased a few years ago by the same corporation that ruined Saugatuck brewing, and their shady, greedy, corner cutting tactics took its toll.
I won’t miss them nearly as much as I would’ve missed 2019 Creston Brewing.
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u/DetroitZamboniMI West Grand Mar 03 '25
Damn. I really enjoyed this since Saugatuck took over. Really bummed about this one.
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u/AdamDet86 Mar 03 '25
Honestly doesn’t surprise me, so many micro breweries have popped up over the last decade or so. Some are good, most are average or eh. I always thought there was too many of them and thought we’d eventually see a decent amount close.
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u/Sage-Advisor2 Mar 03 '25
This, and the unpleasant prospect of near future inflation, and Canadian tariff hardship for Michigan in particular. Disposable income will shrink, and belt tightening in the competitive niche craft brewery industry, with its slim profit margins and high internal costs, is elective now, but soon will be a necessary evil.
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u/doom1701 Mar 03 '25
I don’t live in GR anymore but I continued to follow them. I was hopeful, especially after they were bought and remodeled the upstairs. But I’m not entirely surprised.
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u/AegeanPikachu Mar 03 '25
Good vibes and good people. Surprising it’s closing since it was always busy whenever I drove by. Unfortunately the beer and food was mediocre at best. Was super bummed when Saugatuck bought it since they are also mid. Sucks when your neighborhood brewery is bad when you’re an enthusiast.
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u/Spongeman735 Mar 04 '25
Had some really bad experiences there, the staff was also rushing me out when I was done with my meal and it was 30-45 minutes from closing time. Not surprised or sad to hear this.
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u/Outrageous-Ad-2305 Mar 04 '25
I never went but I always looked busy. Not sure if rents to high or what. But restaurants are a brutal business if they can always look busy and still struggle.
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u/bz71 Mar 04 '25
I’m surprised it took this long. A few months ago I was at work at another local brewery and had a guest come in that was in management at Saugatuck’s Kalamazoo location and they had just been informed they were to be closing and they said “it won’t be long for Creston next…”
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u/Consistent_Way_2593 Mar 03 '25
So will Saugatuck just take over for Creston? Anyone know how its going to work?? BC as of now its called: Saugatuck Brewing Co. | Creston Taproom and Golden Age Events on google. So are they all mixed together?
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u/whatthehellhappened1 Mar 03 '25
Saugatuck already owns it, I’m guessing they’re closing this location
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u/jdoorn14 Mar 03 '25
Saugatuck Brewing already bought them a while back. Was there just a couple weeks ago on a Saturday for dinner and it seemed to be hopping.
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u/Green-Dust6076 Mar 04 '25
Is anyone surprised a community they made this movie about aren't big spenders to keep places like this in business. Can't wait to go back and ask everyone about their new movie made about them;
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u/CountChoculasGhost Mar 03 '25
Woah. I thought they’d be pretty secure after the sale to Saugatuck. Wonder what that means for Saugatuck Brewing as a whole.
That is rough though. That was my go-to place when I lived in the area.