The Marietta Brewing Company, a longtime Front Street restaurant, bar and hot spot for the local music scene, closed its doors Monday in the midst of a battle over back taxes.
"It's a sad day," said owner Kevin Laughery, who closed the business after lunch Monday.
It remains for sale and could open again, he said.
"I think somebody will make a go of it and someone will buy it," Laughery said. "I'm not sure what's going to happen to the building right now."
The business, which employed 25 to 30 people, owes nearly $400,000 in federal back taxes as well as $33,342 to the Ohio Department of Taxation and $15,368 to a food service company.
The state taxes owed were interfering with the Brewing Company's state liquor license, which was set to expire earlier in the fall. The company was granted a one-month extension and then a stay that would enable the business to continue serving alcohol until its tax case was heard.
Laughery said Monday he closed because the extension was up that day.
Jada Brady, executive director of the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, said her records show the business should still be able to serve alcohol.
"Their tax hearing has not occurred yet," she said. "I don't know why they closed their doors... but their stay order is in existence until their hearing occurs."
Laughery said there were two separate stay orders. While one remained in effect, the other expired Monday.
Brewery regular Shawn Miller, 26, said he had heard rumors for months that the business was closing but had hoped it wasn't true.
"It's the only place like that in Marietta," he said. "It has a different atmosphere than other bars - it's a little more sophisticated. And they brewed their own beer so a lot of people liked that."
Miller said he was a fan of the beer selection and even more importantly, the live music.
"There's going to be a big hole to fill there," he said. "So many good local bands played here regularly."
Kari Kennedy, 41, of Marietta, said she was shocked Monday by the news.
"It always seems packed in there," she said. "We come for dinner a lot, and I used to come when they did karaoke. I've never seen it empty."
The closure is a loss for the city, she said.
"It's sad to see a business close, period," she said. "But this one is especially sad."
