Two North Texas breweries closing doors after post-pandemic financial struggles
Two Dallas-Fort Worth area breweries closed in as many weeks, with Arlington’s Legal Draft Beer Co. shuttering after six years and Armadillo Ale Works, of Denton, shutting down after 12.
Dodson Commercial Real Estate listed Legal Draft’s brewery and tap room on its website as two different spaces available. The 20,000 square feet of retail space does not have a lease rate on the website, which says costs will be provided upon request to interested parties.
Legal Draft hasn’t made any official statement as to why it is ending business, but a note on the door of its taproom from Dodson Commercial Real Estate said the landlord was owed nearly $165,000.
Legal Draft’s website has a notice to visitors announcing the closure.
“With heavy hearts we say goodbye,” the notice says. “The taproom is now closed. ... Thank you for all your support over the last six years.”
The brewery’s owners did not immediately respond to a Star-Telegram request for interview.
It’s unclear if Armadillo Ale Works will be making a comeback at some point. The Denton-based brewing company said the impacts of COVID-19 on small businesses like Armadillo Ale have taken a toll long term.
The company said restrictions on its business implemented to stop the spread of COVID led to a drop in sales, both in its taproom that had to close and then reopen under strict restriction and its wholesaler and retail partners.
“We have been unable to maintain a level of revenue to offset our expenses and must vacate our building,” Armadillo Ale said on its Facebook.
The company said in its Facebook post that fans will still be able to pick up some Armadillo Ale Works creations at stores for a little while and encouraged them to buy while they can.
Armadillo left the door open in its Facebook post for a possible comeback.
“The future of Armadillo Brewing Company is unclear at this time but we thank you all for the support over the last 12 years,” the post read.
This story was originally published March 29, 2022 at 9:43 PM.