Working Class Brewery in Kamm’s Corners Has Closed

Richard Skains, a former Cleveland teacher and band director, opened Working Class Brewery in 2017. Unlike many of the emerging breweries of the day, Skains bypassed trendy neighborhoods like Ohio City, Tremont and Detroit Shoreway for a retail space in Kamm’s Plaza (17448 Lorain Ave.) in Kamm’s Corners.

“There are two ways to go: you open up where there is a lot of foot traffic from people who are looking for craft breweries or find your own area to work,” he explained prior to opening.

It proved to be a wise move, with Working Class more than holding its own on Cleveland’s west side. But ever since Covid, Skains states, his business has been declining, an issue that when combined with other factors persuaded him to shut down.

“Economic factors, shifts in market trends, as well as personal reasons have led us to this decision but ultimately the decrease in taproom revenue, 25% after the Covid Pandemic and then another 18% over the past year have forced us to close the doors,” he shared.

It’s been a particularly brutal time for small breweries, with Bookhouse Brewing, Midnight Owl, Voodoo Brewing and Arsenal Cider all shutting down within the past few months.

Sadly, Working Class will now be added to that list of losses.

“Thank you to all our loyal customers, cheers to you for showing up all the time,” Skains adds. “We will certainly miss you.”

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