The leader of the Delaware Restaurant Association's is calling for regulatory relief following the closing of Iron Hill Brewery's three restaurants.
CEO Carrie Leishman issued the following in a social media post:
Today, Delaware lost more than a restaurant — we lost an institution. Iron Hill Brewery, a flagship restaurant group that began here and grew nationwide, has closed its doors permanently. This shocking news follows the closing of other beloved establishments across our state.
If a large, private-equity-backed company with decades of brand recognition cannot withstand today’s economic and regulatory pressures, imagine the strain on small, independent restaurants that are the lifeblood of our communities.
The stakes could not be higher.
Restaurants in Delaware employ one in 10 of our residents—more than 53,000 people. They provide first jobs, second chances, and lifelong careers. When restaurants close, the impact ripples far beyond a favorite pub or gathering place.
Families lose paychecks.
Neighborhoods lose anchors.
Communities lose safe havens.
Our industry is built on razor-thin margins of less than 5%.
Yet restaurants are asked to shoulder softened consumer spending, skyrocketing labor and food costs, and an ever-growing patchwork of regulations. The weight is becoming unbearable.
And make no mistake: as a society, we need restaurants. They do more than serve meals—they knit people together, foster community, and often step up when our world feels most divided. Restaurants have always innovated, adapted, and fought to survive. But no industry can defy gravity forever.
Delaware must act—and act boldly.
We need bipartisan support and creative policy solutions to protect restaurants and the livelihoods they sustain. Without swift attention, we risk losing not just businesses, but a vital piece of our state’s identity and economy.
We can do better — for the workers, for the entrepreneurs who still believe in The American Dream, for the neighborhoods, and for every Delawarean who depends on restaurants to make our communities thrive.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
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Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.