DETROIT (WWJ) - As it deals with the aftermath of a racial discrimination lawsuit, Founders Brewing says it plans to keep its Detroit taproom closed until next year.
Speaking with reporters Thursday morning, co-founders Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers said they will hire a new general manager and are accelerating diversity and inclusion efforts companywide before the taproom reopens in early 2020.
"To our employees and our customers, we want them to know that we're sorry this lawsuit affected them and perhaps put them in an awkward position," said Engbers. "Beer should bring people together; we've said that over and over again, and we want our legacy to be about bringing people together, enjoying great beer and building bridges."
Once it reopens, Founders will donate 100% of profits from the taproom to Detroit charities and community organizations through at least 2022. In addition, the owners say when the doors re-open, there will be an environment that will be positive for customers, their workers and the community.
Founders recently settled a racial discrimination lawsuit that led them to pull out of a beer festival and close the taproom, located on Charlotte Street off Cass Avenue. A former employee 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."
Ryan has since taken a leave from the company. Founders reached a settlement with Evans last week, though the terms were not disclosed.
Engbers said employees will be paid through the end of the year.