Club West distribution facility sells to developer
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An entity tied to Club West, the rebranded Sycamore, has sold the brewery's offices and production facility near Camp North End to a prominent Charlotte developer for $6.65 million.
Why it matters: While Club West Brewing's taproom has been consistently packed since the Sycamore scandal, the brewery previously acknowledged the distribution business wasn't rebounding the same way.
The latest: West Twenty Fourth LLC, an LLC tied to Sycamore's co-founder Sarah Taylor, sold the building to Summit Avenue West 24th, an LLC tied to Matthew Browder, owner at Browder Brown real estate firm, on Nov. 4, property records show.
- West Twenty Fourth LLC previously bought the building for $5.2 million in 2024.
Flashback: CBJ reported in 2017 that Sycamore was investing $2.5 million in building out the North End facility. It would grow its beer production by 16 times, with enough capacity to produce up to 80,000 barrels a year, the report stated.
- The lease between Club West and West Twenty Fourth LLC was terminated the same day as the sale, records show.
The big picture: Browder for years has been assembling more than 30 acres of land in the surrounding area, including the Starbucks down the street and 9-plus acres directly connecting to the production facility.
- "This was not a purchase that was done in a vacuum," Browder tells Axios. "We've been trying to buy it for years."
- There are no immediate plans for the site. But this parcel gives them access to 24th Street if they were to build, and it's a viable building to renovate.
- "I think we'll sit on this for a while," Browder says.
- Browder says he's in talks with another local brewery that could make use of the existing equipment.
- Browder is known for repurposing buildings in popular areas such as FreeMoreWest, where he owns Town Brewing, Noble Smoke and The Coterie buildings. He also owns the building that houses Wooden Robot in South End.
Context: The Charlotte Ledger previously reported this summer that Club West was laying off production staff, although the brewery did not provide specifics on the positions or any numbers.
- Club West's Brad Bergman told the Ledger the decision was made to preserve Club West's taproom as its core business. The distribution business was "not really being exactly where we wanted it," Bergman said.
- At that time, four drinks were being distributed.
Catch up quick: Sycamore lost much of its distribution business after co-founder Justin Brigham was arrested and charged with statutory rape of a child. Some bars were posting videos online of staff throwing out Sycamore-branded taps, and grocers pulled the products from shelves.
- The brewery closed in January and reopened in March 2026, just in time for a busy St. Patrick's Day weekend.
- Sarah Taylor said at the time she had initiated formal divorce proceedings from Brigham and agreed to sell the brewery to Bergman.
- Bergman told Axios upon the reopening that he hoped to resume the distribution business.
- It's unclear if Bergman has officially taken full ownership of the company.
This is a developing story and may be updated. Axios reached out to Club West for comment and is awaiting a response.