Gritty McDuff’s closing its Freeport brewpub
Gritty McDuff’s Brew Pub will close at the end of the month in Freeport after 30 years in business at the location. Owner Ed Stebbins said Gritty’s 30-year land lease expires this year, and while he wanted to purchase the 187 Lower Main St. property, that’s not an option. “We had big plans for the property, but unfortunately the owners tell us it’s not for sale, so we don’t really have much choice.
We’ve got to close the close the business down,” Stebbins said. He noted that a new, shorter-term lease might have been possible, “but at this stage of my life and career, I was not interested in leasing.” Gritty’s last day in Freeport will be Nov.
30. Stebbins said Gritty McDuff’s original Old Port location – which opened in 1988 – and its 18-year-old Auburn location will remain open. “It’s heartbreaking,” Stebbins said. “I feel terrible for my employees who have put so much work into the place.
I feel terrible for the community because we’re a big part of Freeport. And it’s tough for our business, for Gritty’s. But we don’t have a whole lot of wiggle room.”
Stebbins said he gave his employees 30 days’ notice of the closure, which affects a little more than 20 staffers at this point in the year.
The Gritty’s team has offered them jobs at the other two locations and help finding employment elsewhere if they choose, Stebbins said.
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