08/23/2024
Dear friends,
It is with a heavy heart that we share some difficult news: Steam Bell will be closing its doors for the final time this Sunday.
Nearly a decade ago, my family and I set out to open Chesterfield County’s first production brewery. As a lifelong Chesterfield native, I felt immense pride in breaking new ground in my hometown.
Over the years, Steam Bell became known for its creative and innovative craft beer, and it quickly grew into a place where families could gather, parents felt at ease bringing their kids, and community thrived.
A few months ago, we were informed by our building’s owner that they would not be renewing our lease. Since then, we’ve been searching for a way to move forward, but unfortunately, with the resources available to us, we’ve found ourselves at a dead end.
Although we certainly made many mistakes along the way, there is nothing I would do differently; even more so as every choice I made (either wrong or right) eventually led me to my wife, business partner, soulmate, and all around favorite person- Andrea, our two precious boys Carter and Blake, and my sweet daughter Caroline.
While this business has brought us incredible joy, it has not come without its fair share of challenges. The stress and sleepless nights have taken their toll, affecting both my mental and physical health. And while the past few years have been particularly tough for the craft beer industry—marked by declining sales and shrinking shelf space in grocery stores—I am deeply grateful for the experiences we’ve shared together.
As we close this chapter, we’d love for you to join us this final weekend. Starting today at 4 PM, we’ll be offering $5 beers all weekend until they’re gone. Our food truck will be running as long as supplies last.
Tonight, we’ll host our final Summer Concert Series with The English Channel, followed by The Sequels on Saturday.
And on Sunday, we’ll close out with Pat O'Brien RVA on the main stage at 3 PM—celebrating the best way we know how.
Thank you all for believing in us and for your support over these past eight years.
The Cooper Family & TeamSteam
