Idle Hands/Enlightenment Closing Everett MA Facility At The End Of June

This may be a surprise to some, but for those of you who have been following us closely, this should not be a shock. It is with mixed emotions that we announce that Idle Hands/Enlightenment will be closing our Everett facility at the end of June. We won’t bore you with the full details here, but the building and land that the brewery is located on was sold in February to Wynn Casinos as part of the Everett Casino project. Despite herculean efforts to delay the inevitable, we have been asked to vacate the building (which will be razed in favor of an access road) by June 30^th.

We apologize that we are sharing this news without more notice. We had hoped to couple this announcement with our plans for the future but the stars have not been aligned. Rest assured, we are aggressively pursuing a new location (we are currently in lease negotiations but nothing has been finalized) and while we are saddened our need to move is happening this quickly, we also always knew our home on Charlton Street would not be our last. We see this change as a minor setback that just forces us to pursue the next chapter sooner. The key is that we are moving in a direction towards a bigger and better existence for Idle Hands. Timing and details are pending and we will share more information as soon as there is more certainty in our future.  

In the meantime, we are planning for that success so that we’re ready to go with our next phase with full throttle. Once we know more, you will know more. We’ll send emails, post on social media and our website. And we’re not going away – seek us out at festivals and for tastings.

Thank you again for your loyalty and support!!
Chris, Grace and the rest of the Idle Hands/Enlightenment crew

Full press release:

Idle Hands Craft Ales LLC announced formally today the

closing of their Everett, Massachusetts brewing facility due to a displacement by the

Everett Wynn Casino project. The local craft brewery, recently recognized as one of the top

local craft breweries in New England by Boston Magazine is one of several local businesses

located at 3 Charlton Street that has been forced to vacate its location by June 30 as a result

of the building being razed in favor of a construction access road for the Wynn casino

project. The brewery’s future is uncertain as the owners, customers and fans await the fate

of the Boston market’s first nanobrewery.

“While we are saddened our need to move is happening this quickly, we also always knew

our home on Charlton Street would not be our last. We see this change as a minor setback

that just forces us to pursue the next chapter sooner,” shares founder and owner, Chris

Tkach. Despite an inevitable move, Tkach and his wife were surprised when they only

received 4 months formal notice to vacate in February of this year.

Tkach has been searching for a suitable new location for 12 months now. Even if a new

commercial lease were signed, moving and resuming brewery operations takes months.

Not only does equipment and product need to be relocated, the business also needs to

resubmit for both federal and state licensing, a process which could take up to 120 days

based on the current federal estimates for license reviews.

"Idle Hands Craft Ales & Enlightenment Ales have become two of our core brands, in the

Boston market…their offerings have enriched our local beer community,” shares Suzanne

Schalow, cofounder of Craft Beer Cellar, a family of independently owned craft beer retail

stores that begun in Belmont. “We look forward to continuing to support this team as they

transition to a new brewery and get back on-line.”

The good news is that Idle Hands is in negotiations with a landlord for a new lease close to

the Everett location but Tkach will not comment definitively “until the ink is dry”. He

indicated that the staff ramped up production the last few months anticipating a period of

being “off line”. They have also arranged to tenant brew at former neighbor, Night Shift

Brewery until a new facility is operational. Local bars, restaurants and package stores have

committed to continue selling the company’s beers though availability will be limited due

to lowered production levels. “I’ve personally enjoyed drinking and serving both beers

because of the high quality and varied mix of styles they offer. I know my customers will be

saddened [by the limited offerings]…but we plan to serve their beer whenever we can get

our hands on it during their transition," comments Max Toste, owner/beer manager of

Deep Ellum in Allston.

“We’ve put a lot of blood, sweat and frankly, personal financial investment into the

brewery,” comments co-owner and wife, Grace, “and we have no intention of closing.”

The Tkachs and their staff ask for everyone’s continued support during this transitional

period. They have grand plans for their next phase and are anxious to share the journey to

their new destination as it unfolds. For those interested in learning more, FAQs are posted

already and you are encouraged to share along in the experience on Facebook, Twitter or

their website.