DETROIT (WWJ) - A well-known name in Michigan's craft brewing community is reopening its Detroit taproom following a three month closure due to negative attention surrounding a discrimination lawsuit.
The Founders Brewing Co. taproom, on Charlotte Street off Cass Avenue, will reopen for business at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6.
Co-founder and CEO Mike Stevens says in a statement that Founders is working in meaningful ways to connect with Detroit while sharing it with fans, community and business partners. Founders plans to donate 100% of profits from the taproom to Detroit charities and community organizations over the next three years, while working to hire more qualified residents and make jobs more accessible to those returning to the community with criminal records.
"We realize this goes beyond financial donations and we’re committed to becoming a more integral part of the Detroit community," said Co-founder and President, Dave Engbers. "We’re not viewing the Detroit taproom as a profit center but instead as a hub for community engagement with the residents of the city."
The taproom closed its doors on October 25 after the Grand Rapids-based brewer was hit with a racial discrimination lawsuit. A former employee, Tracy Evans, alleged he was fired after making complaints about the company mishandling multiple racist incidents.
The situation turned into a scandal for Founders after a deposition by a manager was made public. The deposition shows Founders Brewing Company’s Detroit general manager Dominic Ryan was quoted as saying he couldn't say whether former employee Tracy Evans, who he worked closely with, or even if ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick or former President Barack Obama were black.
"I think Dominic was kind of told to not answer anything that he wasn't absolutely sure and I believe he thought he was kind of getting baited and put into a corner," Engbers previously told WWJ. "I think his point was he didn't want to make any assumptions about anyone's background."
Founders reached a settlement with Evans in November, though the terms were not disclosed.
Ryan took a personal leave from Founders while the scandal unfolded. His current status with the company is unknown.