Fullsteam Brewery is relocating to the American Tobacco Campus
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Fullsteam's future space at the American Tobacco Campus. Photo: Sean Lilly Wilson
Fullsteam Brewery will relocate its main taproom to the American Tobacco Campus in downtown Durham next summer after more than a decade of serving beer at its original Rigsbee Avenue location, the brewery's owner Sean Lilly Wilson said Wednesday.
Why it matters: Fullsteam — founded in 2010 and known for beers like the Paycheck Pilsner and Rocket Science IPA — is the oldest craft beer maker in Durham and helped build a thriving bar and nightlife scene around Geer Street in downtown.
- But its future was up in the air after it failed to ink a long-term lease with its landlord on Rigsbee Avenue. The brewery announced earlier this year it would close its taproom to customers on Halloween.
Driving the news: Wilson told Axios that Fullsteam has been in conversations with Capitol Broadcasting, the owner of the American Tobacco Campus, for around a year to stay in downtown.
- The brewery will take up 9,000 square feet in the historic power plant building in the ATC, located between the development's iconic water tower and smokestack.
Zoom in: Wilson noted that rising rents at its original location as well as intense construction on nearby apartments were motivation to move on from its original location.
- But the ATC location also offers advantages its original location cannot — including plenty of outdoor space, more parking and a modern HVAC system, he said.
- Fullsteam will keep production going at its original location into next year but is moving a majority of its beer making to Fortnight Brewing in Cary as well as a small amount of production to the American Tobacco Campus. The brewery also has a taproom and pizzeria at Boxyard RTP.
- In addition to beer, the ATC taproom will serve food and host live performances.
What they're saying: Wilson said that he was excited to find a long-term solution in downtown.
- "Especially a historic part of downtown that has only furthered its commitment to Durham's unique character and local businesses," he added.
The American Tobacco Campus has seen several new tenants open since 2021, as several spaces opened up during the pandemic.
- In addition to Fullsteam, recent additions include the cafe-and-shop Parker & Otis, the Louisiana-style restaurant Serpahine, the brunch spot Press and the burger joint QueenBurger.