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.

Fast forward to 2017, when the Municipality of Leamington put out a Request for Proposal for someone to take over the Gregory property, which had been left to the town years earlier.

The patio is open to serve customers at Cured Craft Brewing Company.

Sun photo

Scott and Lisa Bradt were already running a successful business on Mill Street West at Bradt’s Butcher Block, but the entrepreneurial spirit within them prompted them to answer the Request for Proposal with an idea suggested by a friend.

“It was suggested that it may be a great spot for a bistro,” said Lisa.

The bistro idea was soon augmented by a suggestion for a craft brewery, and with that, the idea of Cured Craft Brewing Company was born.

The project, which has been three years in the making, has come 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 Street last year, and then the brewery opening was again delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Equipment hard at work producing beer at Cured Craft Brewing Company.

“We were supposed to open the week after Easter,” said Lisa.

The brewery features brand new stainless steel equipment, which is already producing six core brands of small batch beer and three seasonal, limited edition beers. They have a resident brew master on staff and employ between 12 and 15 service, brewery and kitchen staff.

The 2500 square foot space allows for a maximum total of 140 people, inside and out.

The Bradts are no strangers to Leamington, having operated their butcher shop here for 25 years.

Lisa and Scott Bradt in front of Cured Craft Brewing Company

Lisa hopes that the resurgence of uptown Leamington will be a big part of their new business.

“The uptown is looking great with every step,” she said. “And we hope that our business will add to that.”

Cured also serves sandwiches, charcuterie, appetizers, pizza and desserts. They are closed 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.