USA, CA: COVID-19 forces San Marcos Brewery to permanently shut its doors

San Marcos Brewery recently announced that they are permanently shutting their doors after a 27-year run in the Old California Restaurant Row shopping center in San Marcos due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Coast News Group reported.

The popular North County brewery made the announcement on Nov. 19 with a short post on their Facebook page:

“Well, the time has come. With the restrictions of COVID-19 and the purple tier, the Brewery has suspended its operations. We’ve had a good 27-year run and now it’s time to call it… done. Thank you all for the support through the years. We wish you well. Cheers to a better year! 2021.”

The post has more than a hundred comments of residents expressing their sadness and frustration over having to say goodbye to a staple of their community, one which many have grown up with.

The brewery, which opened in 1993 at 1080 W. San Marcos Blvd., was known for being the first micro-brewery in North County where its brewers produced English-style ales and oatmeal stout beers.

“They couldn’t hold on any longer… we’re at a really difficult point in time and our state leaders really need to pay attention,” San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones said. “I believe that we should be cautiously opening up everything and applying safety protocols across the board and then figuring out strategically what we need to do to help businesses become successful if they are having issues.”

Other businesses have also permanently closed down their San Marcos locations due to financial difficulties caused by the pandemic including Phil’s BBQ, Slater’s 50/50, Perks Coffee House and more.

The city might see even more businesses close their doors as San Diego County just entered a three-week stay-at-home order as of late Sunday night due to a decrease in ICU beds across Southern California.

The order temporarily closes a number of businesses, including on-site dining, even outdoors, at restaurants, breweries and wineries. Hair salons and barbershops, personal care services, museums and zoos, movie theaters, and indoor recreational facilities will also have to close.

Elected leaders across North County, including Mayor Jones, have recently been vocal about their frustrations with the new stay-at-home order and some businesses may even refuse to comply with the new order.

The state order will be lifted after three weeks if the region’s ICU capacity rises to 15% or higher.

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