K2 Brothers Brewing has shut down its ambitious Freewill Elementary location just 15 months after opening citing financial strain. However, new reporting shows lawsuits and tax issues likely also played a large role.
The brewery’s Wayne County expansion proved unsustainable, with rising costs, and lower-than-expected sales.
According to new reporting by WXXI, the company faced mounting legal troubles, including a $43,370 court order to pay Palmer’s Food Services and an ongoing $299,970 lawsuit from Servpro for unpaid restoration work. Additionally, a $115,160 state tax warrant hit its Empire Boulevard location in February.
The company hopes to recover by strengthening its core location.
K2 Brothers Brewing shutters Freewill location months after opening
Less than a year after opening its ambitious second location in Walworth, K2 Brothers Brewing has abruptly closed the site at the former Freewill Elementary School.
In a message posted to supporters, the Rochester-based brewery described the closure as heartbreaking but unavoidable. The decision, according to the owners, was driven by rising ingredient and materials costs, lower than expected sales, and a series of “unexpected and unfortunate events.”
The closure marks a stunning turn for the brewery, which had finalized its purchase of the 72,000-square-foot school building in May 2023 and began renovations immediately. Located at 4320 Canandaigua Road, the project aimed to convert the gymnasium into a production facility and the cafeteria into a taproom and bar. Future phases had called for a live music space, arcade, conference rooms, and catering operations.
Despite the setback in Walworth, K2 Brothers Brewing will continue operations at its original Empire Boulevard location. The company has announced that all mug club memberships and gift cards tied to the Freewill site will be honored at the Empire location or online.
The now-shuttered Freewill project had stood as a centerpiece in K2’s broader expansion. In January 2024 owners Brad and Kyle Kennedy had shared plans to build a multi-use adult playground with games, entertainment, and a bar featuring 30 draught lines.
Last year, the brewery also announced its acquisition of the Canandaigua-based Young Lion brand, with plans to incorporate its recipes into expanded production. That deal came on the heels of K2 opening the Walworth taproom, suggesting the company was scaling up rapidly across the region.
No details have been shared on the future use of the Freewill building, or whether any portion of the renovation will continue. Supporters were encouraged to contact the company directly with questions and to visit the Empire Boulevard location for continued service.
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