Kimberly Redmond//January 17, 2024//
Cherry Hill-based Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing will shut down by the end of February after being unable to renegotiate an extension for its current lease. - FORGOTTEN BOARDWALK
Cherry Hill-based Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing will shut down by the end of February after being unable to renegotiate an extension for its current lease. - FORGOTTEN BOARDWALK
Kimberly Redmond//January 17, 2024//
After a decade in business, Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing will have its last call.
In a Jan. 12 social media post, the Cherry Hill-based brewery’s owner, Jamie Queli, announced it would shut down by the end of February after being unable to renegotiate an extension for its current lease on Olney Avenue.
“We have vigorously tried to sign a lease extension with our landlord to no avail as our next door neighbor has leased out the space from underneath us,” said Queli. “We are extremely disappointed and quite frankly, appalled at the actions of both companies and their adamant refusals to negotiate with us.”
Located at 1940 Olney Ave., the building also houses Bestwork Industries for the Blind Inc., a nonprofit that assists blind or visually impaired people find jobs. The property’s owner, Pennsylvania-based Endurance Real Estate Group LLC, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to Queli, the brewery will maintain regular hours and serve its tasting room visitors until Feb. 29.
“While this chapter is coming to an end, we hope that Forgotten Boardwalk will continue, possibly in another form, in the future. In the meantime, we are welcoming any and all business opportunities for Forgotten Boardwalk,” said Queli, who also thanked her loyal customers, friends, family and supporters for being part of the brewery’s journey over the years.
When Forgotten Boardwalk opened in October 2014, it moved into the space vacated by Flying Fish Brewing Co., which relocated to Somerdale.
Queli told NJ Advance Media there was no connection between Forgotten Boardwalk’s closure and Flying Fish’s recent bankruptcy.
After its proposed merger with Cape May Brewing Co. fell apart, Flying Fish – one of the oldest and largest craft breweries in New Jersey – filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection at the end of 2023.
In April 2023, Cape May Brewing Co. announced plans to acquire the assets of Flying Fish for an undisclosed amount, a move that the two said would boost production and warehouse space, as well as make more beer and expand product lines.
According to Flying Fish’s Chapter 11 petition, the merger failed last summer “after extensive analysis during the diligence phase.”
Flying Fish, which is owned by Scranton-headquartered private equity firm Elk Lake Capital, cited $1.3 million in assets against $9.3 million in liabilities. It also noted a steep drop in revenue, from $4 million in 2022 to $3.1 million in 2023.
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