Sycamore Brewing’s ‘family-friendly’ expansion to Cotswold no longer in the works
Sycamore Brewing’s planned expansion at Cotswold Village Shopping Center is no longer happening and the space is back on the market in the wake of rape and assault charges against the brewery’s co-founder.
Last spring, Sycamore had announced the new location, saying via Instagram that it would be designed with “more of a family-friendly atmosphere with kid’s menu and table service, plus this location will include a giant beer garden with games, TVs, and a play spot.”
The March post continued: “Everyone will enjoy the expanded food menu, brunch options, live music and community events. The taproom will be 7,000 square feet and the beer garden over 10,000 square feet!”
The change in plans was first reported by Charlotte Business Journal.
Thrift Real Estate is now advertising a freestanding building at 262-282 S Sharon Amity Road prime for a “restaurant opportunity,” marketing materials say. It offers 6,000 square feet plus a 1,200-square-foot patio space.
A message left for Charles Thrift of Thrift Commercial Real Estate was not immediately returned Monday afternoon.
A call placed to Asana Partners, which owns Cotswold Village, was also not immediately returned.
Sycamore Taproom closed indefinitely Monday to “allow space for processing, healing and beginning the work of reimagining this community space.“ Owner and co-founder Sarah Taylor had announced the plans in a late December letter to the community.
Sycamore setbacks
The collapse in plans was the latest setback in the aftermath of rape and assault charges filed against the brewery’s co-founder,
Justin Tawse Brigham, 44, was charged Dec. 11 with statutory rape of a child under 15, first-degree burglary and indecent liberties with a child.
Additional charges included felony assault related to inflicting serious bodily injury over allegations that Brigham assaulted a man Dec. 10 by grabbing and twisting his genitals, causing extreme pain.
Since the arrest, Taylor has announced that she’s initiated divorce proceedings and removed Brigham from the business.
Restaurants and retailers have pulled Sycamore products off the shelf, and the Sycamore taproom at Charlotte Douglas International Airport has been closed.
