After serving the Minneapolis community for eight years, Eastlake Craft Brewery, situated within the Midtown Global Market in south Minneapolis, is preparing to close its doors.
Owner and brewer Ryan Pitman shared the difficult decision in an announcement, attributing the enduring challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest that unfolded in the neighborhood in 2020 as the primary factors behind the closure. Pitman described these events as a “tough one-two punch for south Minneapolis,” noting that while they managed to rebound somewhat as restrictions eased, it wasn’t sufficient to sustain the business.
“In an unfortunately all too relatable circumstance, we can’t afford the rent,” Pitman lamented.
The closure of Eastlake Craft Brewery marks the end of an era in the Midtown Global Market and signifies the broader economic impact that the pandemic and social unrest have had on local businesses.
