Thank you for being our loyal fans/customers. We haven't been too great about sharing updates as we've been busy, but we hope you take the time to read this one since we think it's pretty important.
This may be a surprise to some, but for those of you who have been following us closely, this should not be a shock. It is with mixed emotions that we announce that Idle Hands/Enlightenment will be closing our Everett facility at the end of June. We won't bore you with the full details here, but the building and land that the brewery is located on was sold in February to Wynn Casinos as part of the Everett Casino project. Despite herculean efforts to delay the inevitable, we have been asked to vacate the building (which will be razed in favor of an access road) by June 30th.
We apologize that we are sharing this news without more notice. We had hoped to couple this announcement with our plans for the future but the stars have not been aligned. Rest assured, we are aggressively pursuing a new location (we are currently in lease negotiations but nothing has been finalized) and while we are saddened our need to move is happening this quickly, we also always knew our home on Charlton Street would not be our last. We see this change as a minor setback that just forces us to pursue the next chapter sooner. The key is that we are moving in a direction towards a bigger and better existence for Idle Hands. Timing and details are pending and we will share more information as soon as there is more certainty in our future.
We're sure this announcement raises a lot of questions for you and we have some answers here. If you think of anything else that we should share, let us know and we'll update our FAQ with more answers. We are hopeful that we can finalize a lease by the end of the month and we'll keep you posted on Facebook, Twitter and a newsletter or two.
In the meantime, we are planning for that success so that we're ready to go with our next phase with full throttle. Once we know more, you will know more. We'll send emails, post on social media and our website. And we're not going away - seek us out at festivals and for tastings.
This situation has not been easy for our family or our staff and we acknowledge it impacts you too. We remain optimistic that once we secure the lease and build out the space, Idle Hands will continue and grow stronger than before. In advance of what is yet to come, we appreciate your support over these trying months! We’ll continue to keep you abreast of news as we have it but if you have any questions we didn't already answer, don't hesitate to reach out to us directly atinfo@idlehandscraftales.com or in person at 3 Charlton Street through June 30th.
You can read the full press release on our closure here and in the meantime check out what we have left in store from Everett...
The End.
As part of our final farewell to Charlton Street, the very last batch we brewed will be released Friday. It is a double IPA aptly named "The End.". Full of hop forward citrus and tropical fruit notes it is brewed with plenty of Chinook, Centennial, Nelson Sauvin and Galaxy hops for everyone. It will also debut around town on draft and at the Drink Craft Beer: Beer & BBQ fest this weekend. Yes, we said we would never brew an IPA... well, sometimes you just gotta give the people what they want!
Special Discounts on Bottles
We'd rather have you move our beer instead of us. That being said, starting this week when you buy 6 or more bottles you are entitled to a 10% discount. Buy 12 or more bottles and we'll give you 15% off. Mix and match, full cases, limited barrel-aged beer, it doesn't matter. It's all eligible.
Thank you again for your loyalty and support!!
Chris, Grace and the rest of the Idle Hands/Enlightenment crew
Full press release:
Idle Hands Craft Ales LLC announced formally today the
closing of their Everett, Massachusetts brewing facility due to a displacement by the
Everett Wynn Casino project. The local craft brewery, recently recognized as one of the top
local craft breweries in New England by Boston Magazine is one of several local businesses
located at 3 Charlton Street that has been forced to vacate its location by June 30 as a result
of the building being razed in favor of a construction access road for the Wynn casino
project. The brewery’s future is uncertain as the owners, customers and fans await the fate
of the Boston market’s first nanobrewery.
“While we are saddened our need to move is happening this quickly, we also always knew
our home on Charlton Street would not be our last. We see this change as a minor setback
that just forces us to pursue the next chapter sooner,” shares founder and owner, Chris
Tkach. Despite an inevitable move, Tkach and his wife were surprised when they only
received 4 months formal notice to vacate in February of this year.
Tkach has been searching for a suitable new location for 12 months now. Even if a new
commercial lease were signed, moving and resuming brewery operations takes months.
Not only does equipment and product need to be relocated, the business also needs to
resubmit for both federal and state licensing, a process which could take up to 120 days
based on the current federal estimates for license reviews.
"Idle Hands Craft Ales & Enlightenment Ales have become two of our core brands, in the
Boston market...their offerings have enriched our local beer community,” shares Suzanne
Schalow, cofounder of Craft Beer Cellar, a family of independently owned craft beer retail
stores that begun in Belmont. “We look forward to continuing to support this team as they
transition to a new brewery and get back on-line.”
The good news is that Idle Hands is in negotiations with a landlord for a new lease close to
the Everett location but Tkach will not comment definitively “until the ink is dry”. He
indicated that the staff ramped up production the last few months anticipating a period of
being “off line”. They have also arranged to tenant brew at former neighbor, Night Shift
Brewery until a new facility is operational. Local bars, restaurants and package stores have
committed to continue selling the company’s beers though availability will be limited due
to lowered production levels. “I've personally enjoyed drinking and serving both beers
because of the high quality and varied mix of styles they offer. I know my customers will be
saddened [by the limited offerings]...but we plan to serve their beer whenever we can get
our hands on it during their transition," comments Max Toste, owner/beer manager of
Deep Ellum in Allston.
“We've put a lot of blood, sweat and frankly, personal financial investment into the
brewery,” comments co-owner and wife, Grace, “and we have no intention of closing.”
The Tkachs and their staff ask for everyone’s continued support during this transitional
period. They have grand plans for their next phase and are anxious to share the journey to
their new destination as it unfolds. For those interested in learning more, FAQs are posted
already and you are encouraged to share along in the experience on Facebook, Twitter or
their website.
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