For fans of The Roadies Brewing, the last Sunday of August was the day the music died, as the combo brewery and live-performance venue held its final day of service…or so everyone – including owners Diane and Sean Hilz – thought. But after closing the doors to their two-year-old Vista concern, the married couple was approached by fellow entrepreneurs who not only saw potential in the business, but ways in which they could help make it more successful were it to come back for a second act. Thanks to them, that’s exactly what’s about to happen.
“We have partnered with Mexico City Cuisine, a well-established catering company located within the same business park as The Roadies. Our second partner is Metrico Hospitality Group, which boasts a picturesque venue in Bonsall that’s ideal for special events,” says Diane. “These partnerships align perfectly with our vision for The Roadies and present exciting new opportunities for collaboration.”
Mexico City Cuisine owner Leo Garcia is converting his catering kitchen into a full-service restaurant which will not only serve its patrons, but also visitors to The Roadies’ tasting room via QR-code ordering. Having food service will allow the brewery to expand its hours to include lunch service. Metrico plans to exclusively serve The Roadies beer at its events. Additionally, owners John Collazo, Dax Parra and Daniel Torres are preparing to launch a distribution company, which will manage distribution of The Roadies’ beers to retail accounts while also overseeing the business’ participation in external events such as beer festivals.
“With the support and buy-in of our new partners, we have the opportunity to reopen and continue building on the vision Sean and I originally set out to achieve: to craft exceptional beer, establish ourselves as one of North County’s premier live-music venues and, more importantly, remain a welcoming home for the community we have worked so hard to create.”
The Roadies’ new investors believe in the Hilzes’ concept, see parallels with their own businesses and values, and have no intention of enacting changes.
“We recognized a genuinely talented group of professionals who are dedicated to their craft, passionate about making great beer and, just as importantly, passionate about people and the community. That immediately resonated with us,” says Collazo. “Investing in and helping businesses grow is something we have experience with. We believe the foundation is already here. Our role is to help build upon it.”
Collazo says the best way Metrico can lend assistance is by extending The Roadies’ reach beyond its taproom. While he and his colleagues love that space – which includes a stage and sound system for bands and DJs, a pool table, quality furnishings and interior-design elements – they feel expanding the brand’s visibility and popularity can best be achieved by getting its beers to outside accounts, as well as farmers markets, festivals, concerts and other community gatherings throughout North County.
Diane says a number of The Roadies’ former staff members have committed to return, and that they also plan to bring on new employees. That will include a new head brewer, as the only fermentationst the company has ever known, veteran Peter Perrecone, recently accepted the lead production position at North Park brewpub TapRoom Beer Co. The Hilzes are currently interviewing several experienced candidates and expect to make a hire very soon.
The couple is chomping at the bit to reopen and plan to do so on Thursday, October 1. The hours of operation for The Roadies’ tasting room will be Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Friday, October 2, reggae act The Tones will play a show, followed by alt-rock band Occupier on Saturday, October 3, and The Brothers Grim will headline a special Halloween event.
“The past month has been an emotional roller coaster. Just a month ago, we were uncertain about the future of the business and reached a point where we could no longer sustain the operation,” says Diane. “Today, we have a renewed hope for the future of the business. We are incredibly excited about the opportunities ahead and the plans we are developing with our new business partners. We look forward to building on what we have created, and moving forward with a renewed sense of purpose and optimism.”
The Roadies Brewing is located at 1495 Poinsettia Avenue, Unit 148 in Vista