Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | September 27, 2021 | Worcester Business Journal 15 Do you specialize in any type of beer? Not really. We like to be sure we have a wide variety of beer on tap because we want to be sure to cater Real Knowledge in Real Life Dining Establishment? We Can Help Feed Your Success. Fletcher Tilton serves as counsel to more than 100 restaurants, breweries, pubs, and wine purveyors. We understand the demands, complexities, and requirements of running a business centered on food and drink, and the variety of challenges you face each day. Our experience allows us to help with everything from structuring new ventures and corporate formation, to commercial lending, real estate lease or purchase, permitting, workforce issues, and more. Every step of the way, our expertise remains on the table. Mark Donahue, Esq. Todd Brodeur, Esq. 508.459.8029 508.459.8038 WO R C E S T E R | F R A M I N G H A M | B O S TO N | C A P E CO D FletcherTilton.com F O O D , D R I N K & B R E W E R I E S F O C U S The craft beer market is saturated Will new craft breweries continue to open and grow in Central Mass. at their current pace? Central Massachusetts has 45 craft breweries, most of which opened in the last five years, including more than a half dozen founded or expanded during the past 12 months, despite the economic turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic. New and prospective craft brewers in the area appear determined to make their businesses work despite challenges brought on by COVID-19, the increasingly competitive craft beer market, and the increasing popularity of other alcoholic drinks, like seltzers. When polled online, the majority of WBJ readers felt the rate of openings of new craft breweries would slow. F L AS H P O L L Yes, there remain determined entrepreneurs and the startup cost for a new brewery remains relatively low. Yes, well-run breweries have solid margins and can become reliable visitor attractions. 38% 9% 2% No, the pandemic has caused too many challenges. No, the market is becoming too saturated with little differentiation. 47% 4% No, beer is losing market share to other alcoholic drinks like seltzers. to all audiences. We don't want to just be the IPA place. We don't want to just be the stout place. We have everything currently from a blonde ale to a blueberry to an Oktoberfest, and a couple IPAs. Why was Gilbertville/Hardwick the right place to set up shop? e previous owners actually owned a farm out in Gilbertville/Hardwick. ey were farmers. Are there any new or exciting plans for the business? One big thing we are doing – and it should be hopefully ready in a couple weeks – we've actually created a permanent outdoor space to increase our capacity by about 40 seats. We're really looking forward to that because it's going to have a nice beer-garden- type feel to it. We're going to have wine-barrel seatings, adirondacks, and hopefully put in some heating so we can extend the outdoor seating. People who want to keep up with us should follow us on Facebook and Instagram, because our marketing right now is all word of mouth. is interview was conducted and edited for length and clarity by WBJ Senior Staff Writer Monica Benevides. McDowell has helped oversee the expansion of Lost Towns Brewing seating area in Gilbertville. W

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