A longtime staple in the Santa Fe brewery scene announced this week that it will shutter its original location next month.
The award-winning Second Street Brewery sent out a news release on Wednesday saying it planned to cease operations at its original location on Second Street where it opened more than 25 years ago. The brewery has received numerous national awards for its beer and can designs, including winning gold in 2020 and silver in 2021 at the Great American Beer Festival.
The company said a variety of factors led to the outcome including issues with renewing the lease that expires in June of 2022. Rod Tweet, president and brewmaster of Second Street Brewery said the brewing operations taking place at the original location right now will be relocated to a space near the Rufina location, which also has brewing equipment on-site.
“The landlord has created an untenable position for renewal with dramatically increased rent,” the news release said. “And other unfavorable terms, which would impact us negatively in the future.”
The brewery’s Railyard and Rufina locations will remain open.
Tweet said in an email that he was not willing to discuss any details on the lease rates or the landlord at this time because he feels it would be counterproductive.
“Our first and foremost concern at this time is our staff, some of whom have worked at the Second Street property for many years,” Tweet said. “We are ensuring that they have positions at our other taprooms, if they so choose. Their commitment to this company have made us more than a restaurant and a brewery. They have created a family.”
Tweet went on to say that it was time for the company to “shift our focus” but said those things are not yet defined.
The company also posted a letter to the community on its Instagram page thanking them for their commitment to the brewery.
“Thank you for making us a central part of your lives and hearts, your celebrations, losses, your daily lives,” it said.
Several people replied to posting. One woman said she had been going to the brewery since she was a child. Another customer called the decision “heartbreaking to hear.”
The last day of business at the Second Street location will be April 9.
