ST. LOUIS 鈥 After listing its property for sale in February, a Midtown brewery has announced that it will close at the end of the month.
Wellspent Brewing Co., located at 2917 Olive Street, posted the news on social media on Tuesday. Its last day of service will be Sunday, June 29.
鈥淭his is not a goodbye, but a recognition that the page has turned and a new chapter unfolds,鈥 the post reads.
Wellspent Brewing owner Eben Shantz told the Post-Dispatch he had hoped to find a buyer who could dedicate more time to the business than he could.
And while he saw a few interested buyers, but no serious offers came to fruition. The business is currently still for sale at a reduced price down to $50,000 from its initial $99,000.
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But the brewery wasn鈥檛 without its problems. Shantz cited business challenges like consumers moving away from beer, lagging neighborhood development and reduced foot traffic.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a combination of a lot of things,鈥 Shantz said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 looking at the tea leaves and understanding where things are headed.鈥
Shantz said he鈥檚 been looking at paring down the projects he鈥檚 involved in for a few months now and hopes to spend more time with his kids as a result.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been really wonderful. We have such a loyal crew, which is so rare in the beer drinkers world right now,鈥 he said on his time with Wellspent Brewing. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been my home away from home.鈥
Wellspent Brewing isn鈥檛 alone as craft brewers navigate changing consumer preference and challenging economic factors.
Locally, the region has seen a number of craft brewers shutter. Earthbound in south 51黑料 closed last year while Freestyle Brew Co. in Eureka and Schlafly鈥檚 Bankside location in St. Charles both closed in January.
Wellspent Brewing originally opened in 2018 by brewer Kyle Kohlmorgen, but closed in late 2019 due to crippling debt.
Shantz, then a customer of the business, took over as owner and paid the debt, reopening it in early 2020.
鈥淭his project has meant so much to so many, I am humbled to have shared in its experience,鈥 states the social media post, signed, in part, by Shantz.
Editor鈥檚 note: This story was updated to include comment from Eben Shantz.
Post-Dispatch photographers capture hundreds of images each week; here's a glimpse at the week of June 1, 2025. Video edited by Jenna Jones.
