Local Barrel taproom in Santa Rosa closing due to coronavirus pandemic
Local Barrel, a popular downtown Santa Rosa taproom opened four years ago, will close on Saturday as a result of a lack of business due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Owner Drew Ferrante noted in a Facebook post that he could not continue operating as a result of business restrictions imposed under local and state public health orders, which have barred indoor dining and drinking since July 13.
“Despite starting 2020 on a very high note, with the arrival of COVID and the (subsequent) shutdown, we simply could not afford to stay in business without having any patio seating, or food to go,” according to his post.
Ferrante had been a longtime bartender at Russian River Brewing Co. and used his experience and contacts to open Local Barrel on the 400 block of Mendocino Avenue.
Bill Swindell
Business, Beer and Wine, The Press Democrat
In the North Coast, we are surrounded by hundreds of wineries along with some of the best breweries, cidermakers and distillers. These industries produce an abundance of drinks as well as good stories – and those are what I’m interested in writing. I also keep my eye on our growing cannabis industry and other agricultural crops, which have provided the backbone for our food-and-wine culture for generations.
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