Sanford Brewing Company on the verge of closing; Maitland location is open for last day

In a situation announced on October 18th, the owners of Sanford Brewing Company tell their local patrons that the company is in dire straits and on the verge of closing. In fact, according to a story from WESH Local 2 News, both locations will close once they run out of food and beer.

According to a story posted on WESH2:

“None of us have anything lined up, so for the next few days, we’re going to do our best and try to serve as many people as we can,” said Darwin Goh, the manager of the Maitland location. “I’ve just never worked anywhere that has had so much local support and repeat business. A large majority of the people, of our guests are people that I’ve seen before.”

The Sanford Brewing Company employees have set up their own GoFundMe page called “Urgent Help for Sanford Brewery Employees” to try and recover some of their unpaid wages.

Sanford Brewing Company employees“Hey guys! So this is a GoFundMe for the staff of Sanford Brewery Company, both the Sanford and Maitland locations! We just had a one-day notice that we are without a job after not being paid for over 4 weeks.

We all really wanted to stick it out since we believed in the company and were hoping for its success, but unfortunately as life goes, they had to make the tough decision to close both locations last minute, and now we are all without a job 2 weeks before bills are due. Any donations that are made will be split between all of SBC workers to help with bills and late fees that have piled up from this month and for next month. We can’t thank the community of Sanford enough for all that you guys have done for us

 

Sanford Brewing Company tells their story on their GoFundMe page. The brewery in Sanford has been open for 8 years, with the second location in Maitland opening in August 2018.

According to Sanford Brewing Company’s GoFundMe entitled “Help Sustain Local Flavor at Sanford Brewing:

“We’ve been trying to sell the building since February, when Chris was diagnosed with kidney cancer. We were lucky we found it early, and for now, he remains cancer-free, but he did lose a kidney, no simple procedure. But so far no buyer, the economy is tough. WE want to stay in Sanford, and lease it back, we are invested in the long term here!

Sadly, economy has wrought havoc on our little brewery. The costs, wages, insurance—everything has gone up. The horribly slow summer has caused many of our businesses to throw in the towel. We’ve been fighting tooth and nail not to be one of them.

Sanford Brewing CompanyWe need $125k to pay our employees and maybe give us time to secure a buyer for the building. It’s embarrassing to ask, but here we are, asking. They deserver the world. SBC employees are the best people in the world.

Please come have a beer or two or three, buy the moonshine, the gin, the soon to be distilled other liquors and new beers, or donate in person, or donate here. THIS WEEKEND.

Either way, it has been our honor to serve you, toast with you, celebrate with you, and be with you. Thank you Sanford, it’s been an honor.”

The GoFundMe campaign has raised $2,320 from 32 donations towards a goal of $125,000.

According to the Sanford Brewing Company-Maitland Facebook page, today is “This is the LAST day for SBC IN Maitland! Fill your growler last, crowlers, get a bite. Cash only. Tip your fine staff and say good bye. New things are coming but this chapter closes tonight! These folks need you.”

Sanford Brewing’s original location has posted a cryptic “Please Stand By” picture on Monday, October 21st, with the Maitland location making a post about their final day, Wednesday October 23rd.