A heart is in the logo of Heroes Brewing Co. And a heart is on every can and every mug of beer.
The heart symbolizes the giving back to the community philosophy instilled by Heroes founders Greg and Marlene Fagen since opening in 2020 in the former Lost Borough Brewing space at 543 Atlantic Ave. in the city of Rochester.
And as the news spread among mug club members and the craft beer community about its impending closing — July 12 is the last scheduled day — it’s fair to say hearts were breaking.
Jim Dolan usually stops by after work on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Once strangers, Dolan now calls many of his fellow regulars friends.
Even days after finding out the news, Dolan remains shocked and saddened.
“I’m going to miss that time,” Dolan said. “I made a lot of good friends here and made good connections with people. It’s a very inviting place.”
Mark Campisi, one of the owners, said no one thing but many factors resulted in the closing. The general climate of the craft brew industry and changing tastes in craft beverages among young people are among them.
Good beer, good food and a great place to enjoy them just isn’t enough right now, Campisi said.
“It’s very disheartening,” said Campisi, noting an outpouring of responses from customers and other craft brewers who also are saddened. “No one wants it to happen. It’s just something we didn’t expect to happen.”
Making a difference at Heroes
They wanted to build something that mattered, and the numbers say yes, they did.
Proceeds from over 60,000 cans of beer supported 85 local charities and organizations, according to a goodbye statement from Greg, Mark, Jerry, Christian, Ireland, Kathy, Karen, Andy, Derek, Jeff and Mike posted on the brewery’s website. Heroes was among the craft brewers that contributed beer in honor of three New York National Guard soldiers killed in a Mendon helicopter crash in 2022.
Rick Ward, who is old friends with the owners and stops in often, really liked the concept of donating proceeds to charities.
“I think that made them different, to the point where they wanted to make everybody feel like heroes,” Ward said.
Mike Maloy, an employee who first discovered the place as a customer, loved the atmosphere. The bar served less as a barrier between customers and workers but more like a uniter of friends and family.
“It’s a loss,” Maloy said. “It’s a great place.”
Everyone is a hero at Heroes
Actually, customers meant a bit more than that to the Fagens, Campisi pointed out — they are described as heroes.
“Heroes don’t look like they used to. They look like you do,” the statement reads. “You’ve proven that true in every possible way. By showing up, bringing friends, supporting our events, and believing in our mission — you’ve been the heroes behind it all. Your loyalty, kindness, and community spirit kept us going through the highs and the hard times.”
No doubt in the days ahead, many more heart-warming stories about Heroes will be shared. And perhaps a few tears shed when the doors close July 12.
“It’s definitely a bummer,” Campisi said. “It’s something nobody wants but it’s the brewing industry in 2025.”
Goodbye from Heroes
The statement concludes:
“While this chapter is coming to a close, we want you to know; we will always carry the memories, gratitude, and pride of what we built together.
“From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for being part of this. We are incredibly grateful for the years we had with you.”
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Hearts break as Heroes Brewing Co. prepares to close in Rochester
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
