News Summary
Voodoo Brewing Co. has announced the closure of its Fort Myers location due to operational challenges, including road and bridge closures and hurricane impacts. The brewpub, which opened in April 2024, will officially shut down on March 30, 2025. Despite this closure, Voodoo Brewing is expanding in Florida with a new location in Valrico aimed at fostering community engagement and a unique drinking experience. The Towles, owners of the Fort Myers location, thanked their staff and patrons for their support during their operational period.
Fort Myers, Florida – Voodoo Brewing Co. has announced the impending closure of its Fort Myers location, which initially opened on April 6, 2024. The brewpub will officially close its doors on March 30, 2025, after facing a series of operational challenges that have hindered its success in the region.
The owners, Keith and Mashelle Towles, highlighted several significant factors contributing to the closure. Among these were road and bridge closures, the impact of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, and difficulties in attracting a steady flow of customers. The Towles expressed that they were unprepared for the various business challenges they encountered shortly after taking over the establishment in November 2022. The couple began the buildout of the brewery in April 2023, aiming to create a vibrant community hub.
Voodoo Brewing Co. sought to present a unique concept in Fort Myers, designed specifically to foster personal connections among patrons by eliminating televisions from the brewery. The establishment featured over 20 beers on draft sourced from its two primary breweries located in Meadville, Pennsylvania. In addition to craft beer, the brewpub offered a menu filled with scratch-made items, designed to appeal to both locals and visitors alike.
Prior to the closure, the Towles extended their gratitude to their staff and the surrounding community for their support throughout the operational period and encouraged patrons to celebrate the memories created at the pub over the past year.
In contrast to the impending closure of the Fort Myers location, Voodoo Brewing Co. is expanding its footprint in Florida, having recently opened its fourth location in Valrico in December 2024. This new establishment is situated at 3432 S.R. 60 and is spearheaded by Chris Ciulla, a former staffing executive and Florida native. Ciulla has expressed enthusiasm about embracing the Voodoo Brewing concept, especially with its focus on a scratch kitchen offering that appeals to local taste preferences.
The Valrico location aims to cultivate a community-driven atmosphere while also pushing the boundaries of craft beer offerings. In a unique twist, the brewpub has collaborated with young artists from Durant High School to design custom doors that serve as artistic elements throughout the space. This initiative is part of a broader effort to engage local talent and enhance the pub’s community ties.
The opening of the Valrico brewpub marks a pivotal moment in Voodoo Brewing Co.’s expansion efforts within Florida as stated by company chairman Matteo Rachocki. The brewery continues to build its presence in the state, following recent openings in Jacksonville and St. Petersburg. These locations opened after the Fort Myers location and contribute to the overall growth strategy of Voodoo Brewing as it seeks to connect with beer enthusiasts across Florida.
As the Fort Myers community prepares to bid farewell to the local brewpub, attention shifts towards the future of Voodoo Brewing Co. in Florida, particularly with the new Valrico location poised to become a hub for craft beer lovers and a vibrant community gathering place.
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Additional Resources
- News-Press: Voodoo Brewing Co. to Close
- Google Search: Voodoo Brewing
- AJC: New Voodoo Brewing in Roswell
- Google Scholar: Voodoo Brewing
- Osprey Observer: Voodoo Brewing Co. Opens in Valrico
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Voodoo Brewing
- Fox 4 Now: Voodoo Brewing Co. Closing
- Google News: Voodoo Brewing
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
