JACKSON TWP. ‒ The Royal Docks Taproom + Kitchen has closed because of “an unexpected and deeply troubling legal dispute stemming from a failed business relationship with a prospective investor,” the brewery posted on Facebook.
The taproom, located at 7162 Fulton Drive NW, will be closed until further notice.
John and Adriana Bikis and brewmaster Dave Sutula founded Royal Docks, opening the British-themed brewpub in 2015. They later opened a nearby production brewery in Jackson Township and a taproom in Plain Township.
Royal Docks announced in June 2024 that an investment group had taken a controlling interest in the business, with the revenue being used to open a taproom in Cleveland’s Hingetown neighborhood in November. That taproom closed in May because of the dispute but the hope is that it will also reopen.
The Royal Docks website wasn’t working the night of June 4.
The Plain Township location at Oakwood Square and the production brewery continue to operate.
In its Facebook post, Royal Docks — known for beers such as Backyard Crusher and Vlad the Impaler — said the locks were changed at the Jackson Township taproom and Royal Docks Brewing Co. was removed from the lease.
“We are working closely with the landlords to resolve this as quickly as possible and find a path forward,” the brewery said.
“What’s happening behind the scenes is complicated, surreal and honestly difficult for even us to fully believe, but we are doing everything we can to make it right. We are so sorry for the disruption and please be patient with us as we’re doing everything in our power to fight through this to return, rebuild and get back to what we love: serving this incredibly (sic) community.”
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information is available.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Royal Docks taproom in Jackson Township closed because of ‘troubling legal dispute’
Reporting by Canton Repository / The Repository
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