ASHEVILLE ― A change is brewing in West Asheville as the owners of the brewery anchoring the neighborhood put it up for sale.
Corina Casanova said she and her husband, Brad, who opened Archetype Brewing nearly a decade ago, want to step back from the business to focus on their family. The couple has two young children.
The brewery and taproom at 265 Haywood Road will remain open while they seek a buyer. Casanova said they will either fully transfer ownership to the new owner or stay on in some capacity, if the buyer desires.
"This is definitely not a closing announcement," she said. "We've been looking for a partner for some time. We've been open to that idea for some time, and this is a way of casting a wider net to be more public about what we
think Archetype deserves. And we think it's a good time for a transition."
She said they notified Archetype employees of their intention to sell before the public announcement on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and she and her husband will advocate for the staff to remain with the business.
"Nothing's changing for them. We care deeply about them," she said. "If there's a transition that comes with this, we're going to be handling it softly. We're looking for a buyer who understands the value of the people who built Archetype and the team that we have."
What will change for Archetype Brewing?
Archetype opened in West Asheville in 2017, expanding to open Archetype North Tap Room and Lounge on Broadway Street and Archetype South Brewing and Kitchen in the South Slope district. Both have since closed.
Archetype will continue brewing beer, hosting events, and engaging with the community and guests, Casanova said. It recently participated in community-wide 828 Day events and hosted Westival, an annual celebration of West Asheville food and community that supports 12 Baskets Cafe and the Asheville Poverty Initiative.
Ideally, the new proprietor will carry on the community-driven initiatives and maintain the taproom's welcoming and inclusive environment, Casanova said.
"We think that there's something more here, and Archetype deserves someone who can put their focus in it," Casanova said.
Archetype has evolved and pivoted, surviving the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic and Tropical Storm Helene and changes in the beer industry and consumer trends. When it opened, the brewery focused on Belgian and barrel-aged Saison beers. It has since diversified its offerings to include cocktails and other beverages for a broader clientele.
Its taproom welcomes guests to bring food and promotes neighboring restaurants.
"We've been through a lot, and we're proud of how we've gone through each of those things, and how Archetype has shown up in the community, and how it's given us the ability and platform to do good," Casanova said.
What's included with the Archetype Brewing sale?
Casanova said she and her husband were beer fans before opening Archetype. Brad Casanova was a quality control chemist at Hi-Wire Brewing.
"We got into brewery ownership because we loved the creative side of it and the idea of building something of our own here in West Asheville, and becoming even more a part of the community," she said.
She said she doesn't know what will be their next pursuit after selling Archetype, but that "the kids and all the other things that are going on in our lives" will be a big part of it.
Archetype leases its space in a building shared with local eateries Gan Shan and Pizza Mind at the corner of Haywood Road, part of the Beacham's Curve community.
The facility includes a 10-barrel brewhouse, a wholesale division, a spacious indoor taproom, two patio spaces, a rooftop deck and a parking lot.
Archetype's latest brews include a Helles lager, with a fall farmhouse ale coming.
"We're looking for the right person to pass the torch. We're not closing. We're still here, business as usual," Corina Casanova said.
Interested parties may contact Brian Good at AVL Business Brokers at nrpasheville@gmail.com. For more about Archetype Brewing, visit archetypebrewing.com and @archetypebrewingavl.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Co., covering the food and beverage industry, including the James Beard Awards, Michelin Awards, restaurant openings, closings and other hospitality industry news and events. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram. Sign up for AVL Bites and Brews, our weekly food and drink newsletter here.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Archetype Brewing is for sale but remains open in West Asheville
