After 25 years in business, Corvallis Brewing Supply owner Joel Rea announced plans to permanently shutter the doors.
“The final decision came abrupt from the last three days, but it’s been a multiple-year progression,” Rea said in an interview over the phone on Monday. “Basically, just got to a point last week where I just couldn’t carry on.”
With bars and restaurants mostly closed or limited to pick-up and delivery during the pandemic, and alcohol consumption up, specialty beer shops helped fill the gap.
Rea shifted to phone and email orders. And even expanded to a 3,200-square-foot space last year. He credited the Paycheck Protection Program for helping pull him through as long as he did. But eventually, he said, online sales proved too much to compete with.
“My first 15 or so years of business I enjoyed a steady climb in annual revenue,” Rea said in a newsletter announcement. “After that, some years were better than others until finally the last five showed a significant drop to nearly half of what my gross revenue all-time highs had been.”
Rea said he’d love it if someone from the community could step up and take over the company, and he’d be willing to be the first employee, or get out of the way.
“It’s a kind of a load off the shoulders now. I’m feeling good about the decisions, but I don’t feel good about leaving Corvallis and the Mid-Valley in a lurch.”
Rea still has four years left on a five-year lease, but said his property manager knows about the decision and will have to review the clauses. But in general, Rea expects that by June 1, everything will be finalized.
So what’s next for Rea?
“Hiking and gardening and relaxing.”
And “soul-searching.”
Rea says he’d be happy to stay in the brewing/winery industry, but is open to do something else.
“I’m fortunate my wife has a really good job and our house is paid for,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to go into this stage of business knowing I’m secure.”
In the meantime, Rea will work as the sole employee during reduced hours for the next several months. And he’ll be holding tastings Friday nights, pulling out a certain type of item each week — anything from Italian white wines to domestic and barrel-aged beers.
New hours for the business, located at 121 SW 4th St, will be Wednesday–Saturday 3:00–5:30 p.m., but he says someone could set up an appointment if they needed.
By Peggy Perdue
Do you have a story for The Advocate? Email editor@corvallisadvocate.com
