Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Southpoint Sun - 7
Leamington’s first craft brewery opens for business By Mark Ribble LEAMINGTON — Cured Craft Brewing Company is now open for business in one of Leamington’s most historic buildings. When Colonel William T. Gregory came to Leamington from his home in North Carolina well over one hundred years ago, the phrase ‘craft brewery’ would have never crossed his mind. The wealthy American settled in Leamington to run the Empire Tobacco Company here and was the major influence for the beginning of the Canadian flue-tobacco industry. Gregory built an office at 43 Mill Street West in Leamington in 1911, and in addition to that, he built a two-car garage during the infancy of the automobile industry. The building remained largely unchanged over the course of the 20th century.
to fruition with their soft opening for patio service last week. Along the way, they’ve had their setbacks, but see a bright future ahead. Renovations had been delayed due to the road construction on Mill Equipment hard at work producing Street last year, and then beer at Cured Craft Brewing Company. the brewery opening was Sun photo again delayed by the Fast forward to 2017, when COVID-19 pandemic. the Municipality of Leaming“We were supposed to open ton put out a Request for Pro- the week after Easter,” said posal for someone to take over Lisa. the Gregory property, which The brewery features brand had been left to the town years new stainless steel equipment, earlier. which is already producing six Scott and Lisa Bradt were core brands of small batch beer already running a successful and three seasonal, limited edibusiness on Mill Street West at tion beers. They have a resident Bradt’s Butcher Block, but the brew master on staff and ementrepreneurial spirit within ploy between 12 and 15 service, them prompted them to answer brewery and kitchen staff. the Request for Proposal with The 2500 square foot space an idea suggested by a friend. allows for a maximum total of “It was suggested that it may 140 people, inside and out. be a great spot for a bistro,” The Bradts are no strangers said Lisa. to Leamington, having operatThe bistro idea ed their butcher shop here for was soon aug- 25 years. mented by a sugLisa hopes that the resurgestion for a craft gence of uptown Leamington brewery, and will be a big part of their new with that, the idea business. of Cured Craft “The uptown is looking great Brewing Compa- with every step,” she said. ny was born. “And we hope that our busiThe project, ness will add to that.” which has been Cured also serves sandwichthree years in the The patio is open to serve customers at Cured making, has come es, charcuterie, appetizers, pizza and desserts. They are closed Craft Brewing Company. Sun photo
Mondays, but open Tuesday and Wednesday from 11-7, Thursday and Friday from 11-8, Saturday 12-9 and Sunday 12-7. Visit their website to view the
menu and take a virtual tour at www.curedcraftbrewing.com or take a seat on their patio which is accessible off Mill St. West, next to the Arts Centre.
Lisa and Scott Bradt in front of Cured Craft Brewing Company
Your Concrete Coating Experts
POINT PELEE NATIONAL PARK | LEAMINGTON
Explore Our Itineraries
Today!
Call today! 519.564.0902
Click visitwindsoressex.com/staycation for itineraries and day trip ideas! PARTNERS
Garages • Basements • Porches • Patios • Pool Decks Commercial • Institutional • Greenhouses Agricultural • Industrial • Shops • Warehouses
canadianconcretesurfaces.com
concretesurfaces.ca
