Savoy Brewery, a nanobrewery that has been open since 2016 in Nelson’s Savoy Hotel, has closed down due to a “competitive restaurant market” in the area. 

Located in the hotel’s Falls Music Lounge restaurant and bar, Savoy Brewery closed when the restaurant, along with the adjoining Farm Fresh Café, were shuttered.

The hotel itself remains in operation.

The Savoy Hotel property was purchased in 2013 by Jimmy Bundschuh, founder of the Shambhala Music Festival. Things started off strong as the hotel was renovated and enjoyed a re-opening in March.

According to kootenaybiz.com, the interior was painted and new floors were installed.

“I am hugely proud of what my team has achieved and I know that they will go on to do great things,” Bundschuh told kootenaybiz.com in 2015.
Sadly, things did not work and stunned staff are now looking at other options. Bundschuh also cited the competitive local market as the reason for the brewery’s closure, as it was “unable to rise above a number of challenges in the industry.”

“While I am greatly saddened by the closure of these businesses, I look forward to serving our guests in the hotel and nightclub,” said Bundschuh.

While this is a tough blow for this tight-knit community, the good news is there are still many marvelous craft breweries in Nelson. As of 2016, Nelson BC has a population of just 10,664 but this hasn’t stopped craft breweries from making Nelson their home, including Nelson Brewing Co., Torchlight Brewing Co., and Backroads Brewing Co.

The good news doesn’t stop there – according to Vancovuerisawesome.com, over 20 new craft breweries opened in the province in 2018.