2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Joe McGinty)
A Cambridge brewery has been startled to discover its building, along with shares in the company, is up for sale. Collin McKinnon, co-owner and founder of Farm League Brewing on Ainslie Street in Cambridge, said the listing has sent shock waves through the company. “It’s a very strange situation,” McKinnon said.
“We’re kind of just trying to get to the bottom of it.” The on for $2.75 million while the investor’s is up for $1.
68 million. McKinnon said he and the brewery’s other three owner/operators first learned of the listing when they saw it online. “There was a very casual conversation less than a week ago about the idea that the (investors) might get the building appraised,” he said.
But private conversations between the investor — a silent partner, and a family friend of McKinnon, who he would not name — and the selling agent led to the listing going up without any consultation with other Farm League partners. Farm League has been in the old Galt Knife Company building at 295 Ainslie St. S.
since 2021 and recently built an outdoor patio and upgraded equipment. Shawn Quilty, the listed agent for the property and business, said he has been retained to find Farm League Brewing’s next partner and building owner. “We’ve got a great investor who started the Farm League program, five years ago.
They’ve worked hard together to grow it to an entity that’s seen a great sales increase over the last few years,” said Quilty. “The majority owner and the owner of the building, he’s looking to divest and take on another project and it just felt like a good time to do that.” Quilty said McKinnon is a “minority owner,” and notes the sale is contingent on the building and the shares in the company being purchased together.
The listing has left staff members at Farm League concerned and confused about their job security. McKinnon stresses nothing will change for them as the investor seeks to leave the partnership. “We have 12 staff members who make their whole living from our brewery who are now being completely blindsided and the whole community now is freaking out,” he said.
McKinnon wants to reassure people Farm League Brewing isn’t going anywhere, as they have recently signed a long-term lease and any sale seemingly requires the business and building to be purchased together. Farm League is also a major sponsor for local music festivals like Fest2Fall in Cambridge and the upcoming Meadows Music Festival in Fergus. All upcoming shows and events will continue as planned.
In an emailed statement, the Farm League operating partners, including McKinnon, said this decision has hurt them as a company and on a personal level. “This company has been built on blood, sweat and tears by the other owner/operators and dedicated staff members, with our most exciting summer season ahead of us. While we respect the investor’s ability to manage his portion of the company, Farm League feels the way in which we found out about the decision was unfortunate,” read the statement.
“We are committed to privately settling this matter with the original investor, so Farm League can continue to operate, grow and do what we do best ...
make award-winning craft beer, support our diverse community with events, weddings and concerts and produce the most exciting premier music festivals in Ontario.”.
