AUSTIN, Texas — North Austin brewpub Black Star Co-op Pub and Brewery announced it will be permanently closing after more than 14 years of business.
The restaurant and brewery announced it will close on Sunday, Jan. 12, citing “careful considerations of the many challenges we’ve faced in navigating the world’s first community-owned, democratically managed brewpub.”
Black Star is member-owned and managed and does not depend on tipping as part of its wages. It opened in 2010 and allows thousands of member-owners to work shifts, help run the co-op and patronize the business.
In 2017, Black Star hit a rough patch, struggling to pay employees a living wage with slow sales. Supporters rallied to save the business.
Black Star addressed the closure in a post on social media:
“We set out to create a space where the community could thrive over a shared love of good beer, good food, and good company, and for over 14 years, we have been lucky enough to make this our reality. We’ve formed deep connections and incredible bonds with Member-Owners, general public patrons, and local community groups and companies alike, in a way that is only possible for a business that exists to serve the community that owns it. We are incredibly grateful for the support you’ve shown us, the memories we’ve made together, and the sense of belonging and gemütlichkeit that we were able to cultivate in our shared brewpub.
“We understand this news will be disappointing, and we share in that disappointment. We want to thank each and every one of you for being a part of this journey. Your support, your patronage, and your belief in our vision is what has made this dream a reality for all of these years.
“We will be holding our Members’ Assembly Meeting on January 11th at 9am, at the brewpub as scheduled, to discuss the closure in more detail, answer any questions you may have, and share information as to what may come next for Black Star Co-op as an entity.”