After 4 years, a Jacksonville microbrewery becomes latest to close this year

After four years, a Rail Yard District microbrewery is the third to close abruptly in the Jacksonville area this year.

Family-owned and operated, Lemonstreet Brewing Company at 2100 Dennis St. announced its closure Wednesday on social media with a post titled "So Long, Friends" on its lemon brand symbol.

The owners couldn't be reached immediately for comment. Lemonstreet didn't say why it was closing in the post. The microbrewery thanked its supporters and urged them: "Please support your local breweries."

"It was an honor to have learned from you. May our paths cross again," Lemonstreet also said.

In addition, the microbrewery apologized for not being able to have a farewell party.

"Unfortunately, due to circumstances out of our control, we were unable to have a goodbye party," the post read.

Lemonstreet is the latest local craft brewery to shut down.

Brewer's Pizza in Orange Park, the home of Pinglehead Brewing Company, closed last month after 14 years in business.

At that time, Taylor Rayburn, Brewer's Pizza general manager, told the Times-Union that the brewpub "no longer was financially sustainable." Brewer's Pizza was hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and never recovered, he said.

In August, Tabula Rasa Brewing at 2385 Corbett St. — also in the Rail Yard District — closed after five years in business. Tabula Rasa didn't announce the reason for the closure.

Lemonstreet opened in September 2019. In August 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic gripped Northeast Florida, Lemonstreet was among local microbreweries that told the Times-Union about the challenges resulting from state-mandated shutdowns, capacity limits and other restrictions.

At that time, Lemonstreet said it only had been open for about two weeks during a five-month period.

Customers and others responded to the closure with posts of support and shared memories of good times at the microbrewery.

"We are so sad to hear this news! What an amazing brewery and even more amazing people! We enjoyed the beer and the conversation every visit. Wishing you all the best …" one patron posted on the Lemonstreet Facebook page.

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at [email protected].

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville's Lemonstreet Brewing Co. closes abruptly after 4 years