May 24, 2024 7:10p
(WGTD)---Staving off bankruptcy, Kenosha's oldest craft brewer has sold the business to a Milwaukee brewing company.
Fresh out of Carthage in 2012, Matt Geary established Public Craft Brewing in a storefront on 58th St. in downtown Kenosha. In 2019, Geary moved the business into larger quarters about a block away in a vacant department store building.
Soon after, the pandemic hit and financial troubles were brewing besides the beer. Geary filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month.
Lakefront Brewery announced Friday that it plans to buy the business and maintain the brands separately.
Geary posted an upbeat comment on Public Craft's Facebook page, saying the buy-out means that the business will be able to "rebuild a vision."
Geary tells WGTD that he plans to remain with Public Craft.
The business may have to close for a couple of days to facilitate the transition, he said.
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