ST PAUL, Minnesota — Another business is set to leave Keg & Case Market in St. Paul.
Clutch Brewing Company announced Thursday on its social media that it would close at the end of the year.
In a statement, Clutch Brewing Company said, "Well, friends, it's been a wild 5 years. So many good times were had and providing a one-of-a-kind, safe, accepting, warm place to enjoy a delicious, locally-made beer has been an absolute honor for us. With a heavy heart, we announce that Clutch Brewing Company will be closing at the end of the year. Many factors have led to this conclusion, and it's just not sustainable to keep the brewery up and running. We will have more updates on the closure, but we want to emphasize how much we thank you for your support over the years. Also, we still have plenty of beer to be consumed! Stop by and help us go out the right way: with a craft beer in hand and good times shared with friends and family. Thank you all!
KARE 11 stopped by Clutch Brewing Company on Sunday but no one was available for an interview.
"It makes me really sad. They've been kind of a staple of the building. And I'm a little nervous that it'll be kind of hard to attract other businesses here," said Kelly Snook of South St. Paul.
Clutch is one of the original tenants of Keg & Case, which opened in 2018 inside the old Schmidt Brewery. In 2019, USA Today named it the best new food hall in America. But now the future of the establishment is unclear. Last spring, MidWestOne Bank sued Keg & Case, stating, "The Borrower and Guarantors are in default for failure to pay the amounts due and owing under the loan documents." According to court records, a settlement conference is set for April 30, 2024.
KARE 11 attempted to reach developer Craig Cohen but did not hear back. Current Keg & Case Director of Operations Phil Gagne was not available for an interview Sunday and referred to Cohen for questions related to the property.
"I saw a lot of these places come and go like these places right there," said Eden Anderson, pointing at three empty spots. Anderson works at Soapy Toads. "All three of them were still filled and then come like half a year ago, most of them were gone."
There are six vendors left: Five Watt Coffee, Pimento Jamaican Kitchen, Starcade, Sána CBD, Soapy Toads and Clutch Brewing Company. At least one business, Small Things, is around just for the holiday season.
"It's seen a decrease in people and it's mostly because other businesses are leaving. Their leases are ending and they're just not deciding to come back or renew their leases," Anderson said.
"COVID definitely affected it. Brought the business down a little bit," said Va Vang, who works at Sána CBD.
Vang said they do see a boost in business when the space holds events.
"There has been pretty good business days when there's an arcade tournament here... pinball tournament. That usually brings in a lot of people," Vang said.
STARCADE, which claims it has the largest collection of classic arcade games in the state, went this summer from Rosedale Center to Keg & Case. One of the owners told KARE 11 that the move has been good for them.
Anderson said, "I think that there's going to be a couple more people here during holiday times but we'll have to wait and see."
Keg & Case Market
928 7th Street West
St. Paul, MN 55102
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