USA, NJ: Montclair Brewery raising funds to open second facility in East Orange

Montclair Brewery has been a community staple, hosting everything from live bands to game nights to cultural celebrations. So, when locals first heard that husband-and-wife team Leo and Denise Sawadogo were raising funds to open a space in East Orange, some feared the original space would close, especially because of other recent venue closings, Montclair Local reported on October 13.

Putting those craft beer lovers’ anxieties to rest, the pair have assured their patrons that the East Orange location is not a replacement but an expansion to allow for more brewing and production. In fact, the success of the Montclair location and its micro-brewed beers cleared the way for their dream of providing an additional community space for beer enthusiasts to gather and connect.

The new East Orange space will have a much larger brewery and production capability. Denise Sawadogo explains that they outgrew their production needs in Montclair. The brewers are looking toward a future where they don’t need to say “No” to distribution opportunities. Investing in the production is a big step. A related entity owns the East Orange building, so planning for the future feels secure despite financing challenges and wrestling with grant restrictions.

In addition to enlarging the production space by 1000 feet, the East Orange building will have a tap room and outdoor seating. A desire to continue the community connections to the location’s neighborhood and people will fuel decisions about murals, art, music, and cultural celebrations. Tapping into local artists, providing jobs and activity in the neighborhood, and catering to the flourishing Caribbean demographic will flavor events and influence how the East Orange Brewery develops.

Sawadogo loves the family vibe that the Walnut Street location exudes. She hopes it will catch on at the East Orange spot. She does plan for some changes, however. For example, evenings in the new taproom are envisioned as more adult, with an edgier atmosphere for events and nights out. They also look forward to celebrating Denise’s Jamaican background and Leo’s West African heritage through specialty beers and commemorative events.

With the building purchased and production supplies and tools secured, Montclair Brewery’s expansion is underway. An IndieGogo campaign details that construction has begun, but they are looking for community assistance to defray costs related to the expansion from one microbrewery to two. First on the list of needs is quality plumbing, electrical and carpentry for the production area. Second, is working capital to ensure a smooth transition (think keeping the lights on) while production ramps up and the new taproom is created.

Of deeper importance, fewer than 1% of breweries in the U.S. are Black-owned, and Montclair Brewery was the first Black-owned Brewery in New Jersey. The success of Sawadogo’s dream is a source of local pride and an inspiration to future generations of underrepresented entrepreneurs.

For the co-owners, beer production is important in itself. However, it’s also about building a future where craft beer culture reflects the diversity of its consumers.

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