When Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant abruptly closed all of its nearly 20 locations across five states late last month, it left a large Newtown Township storefront vacant and employees seeking work.
The Delaware-based brewery chain, which operated in Delaware, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina, cited “ongoing financial challenges” for the mass closure.
Former employees told The Delaware News Journal the company’s struggles began after the founders sold to investors, who subsequently implemented cost-cutting measures, including using lower-quality ingredients.
Iron Hill bartender Chris Julian described the environment under the majority owners, A&M Capital Partners.
“It was this nameless, faceless thing that was making decisions – a slow drip. It was like a sci-fi movie. Where is it coming from? Is it coming through the vents?” Julian said. “It was really weird. You don’t have any autonomy anymore. But we never let the bastards get us down. We stayed positive. The people in that building were awesome.”
In an email to employees the day of the closure, management informed staff it was working to secure new funding sources and exploring solutions to avoid the outcome.
“We sincerely hope to return in the future, and when we do, we promise to welcome you with open arms,” the company said in its public announcement.
Before the closure, Iron Hill had spoken of plans to grow the chain in southern states, but it had recently shuttered several locations. Iron Hill closed three locations in recent weeks in Chestnut Hill; Voorhees, New Jersey; and its flagship location in Newark, Delaware, shortly before the mass closure. Last year, the chain closed its Phoenixville and Ardmore locations.
A former Newtown Township Iron Hill employee said they learned of the closure from a text message from a co-worker before receiving a corporate email.
In the wake of the closing, Newtown-area businesses offered immediate assistance.
The Green Parrot Restaurant and Harvest Seasonal Grill announced they were hiring. Second Sin Brewing in Newtown Borough and Newtown Brewing’s Taproom offered free pours and discounts to people with Iron Hill gift cards late last month.
The location in the Village at Newtown opened in June 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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