Iron Hill closing Newark location after 29-year run

In a statement issued  the  company cited "efforts to adapt to a changing business landscape while focusing on strengthening its long-term growth and success."

 

Newark will be one of three locations to close. The others were in Chestnut Hill, PA and Vorhees, NJ. Iron Hill locations in Wilmington and the Rehoboth. Beach area will remain open.

 

"At Iron Hill, our team is deeply committed to creating memorable culinary experiences, award-winning beers and delivering exceptional hospitality,” said Mark Kirke, CEO.  “We’re proud of the strong relationships we’ve built with our guests over the years and incredibly grateful for their loyalty. None of this would be possible without our dedicated teammates, who have made Iron Hill a place where great beer, great food, and genuine hospitality come together. We look forward to welcoming you to enjoy any of our other 16 open restaurants."

 

Iron Hill's closing which was came without advance notice,  led to criticism on social media. In recent weeks,  two restaurant  closings have come with little or no advance warning.

 

The Newark location and the company got its name from a hill near the college town that was the site of mining activity and  served as a lookout for Revolutionary War troops who fought the British at the Battle of Cooches Bridge.

 

The founders of Iron Hill said the lessons learned at the Newark location allowed the company to expand into new markets that included college town settings and main streets.

 

Several years ago, Iron Hill had indicated it might exit Newark, due to parking issues. The restaurant-brewery opened in 1996 and was part of the turnaround of a Main Street that had seen the departure of long-time businesses.

 

Iron Hill had been headquartered in Wilmington but later moved to a production brewery-restaurant  site in Exton, PA after an unsuccessful effort to change a state law that limits the number of breweries to three. 

 

Iron Hil, under a previous CEO, made a push to expand to 20 locations using its formula of  operating small breweries at each of its locations. 

 

Beer-focused restaurant chains have faced challenges with companies  like John Harvard closing most locations.

 

Iron Hill has retrenched in recent years and closed locations in the Atlanta area.  The company earlier shuttered  a location in Phoenixville, PA, but also announced plans for another Philadelphia location.