Readers blame poor management, not crime in Sunset Boulevard Brewing Co.'s closing

John Liberty | By John Liberty |
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on July 18, 2012 at 11:39 AM, updated July 18, 2012 at 11:41 AM
Jake HambrightSunset Boulevard Brewing Co. owner Jake Hambright inside his the brewery on May 28, 2010.
KALAMAZOO, MI -- Yesterday's story on the closing of Sunset Boulevard Brewing Co. received 22 comments where a majority of readers questioned the reason given by the owner for why the business closed.

Owner Jake Hambright cited crime in the area as the primary reason for abruptly closing on Tuesday. Several commenters, including some residents of the Milwood neighborhood where the brewery is located, said poor service and products were to blame, not crime.

The brewery at 4213 Portage St. opened in January. Hambright said he plans to re-open in a new location in downtown Kalamazoo.

Here is a peek at what people said:

Kzoo_irish said:

I'm a Milwood resident, stopped in Sunset for the first time last week and was informed by a staff member she had not been paid in months. I wonder if the inability to run a business has more to do with the decision to close than the safety of the area. I have lived blocks from this location for over 7 years and have never experienced any crime or felt unsafe in any way, shape or form.

Landow replied:

This business is not well known at all. Question: Why would a staff person continue to work at a business that has not paid her for months? That sounds like a federal violation of some sort. Crime in Milwood? There are meth labs everywhere including the inside of vans and RVs. Sounds like a sad excuse for a losing business.

Stephirockzkzoo was insulted:

What a complete insult to the entire Milwood community; businesses and residents a like. The fact is he had a failing business because he didn't provide good beer, good food and great service; the basics. Deflecting his move downtown on the crime rate in Milwood shows he is unwilling to look at his business with a critical eye and provide a great restaurant to the Kalamazoo Community. Milwood is a wonderful community and has crime like any other city and the "wood" neighborhoods. Good thing we have other places that are awesome to eat at like Summer Tyme and (hopefully with cerveza soon) El Gallo Blanco which is amazing!

Ryancousins told commenters not to jump to conclusions:

It definitely sounds like they were not doing a very good job of running this place, however, no where in the article did the owner state he was failing. Many people have posted that he blamed his failings on crime in the area. But he never said his business was failing. He just said he was moving due to the crime. Everyone is acting as if he said "my business is failing due to the crime." People need to read a little more carefully and not jump to conclusions. His business might otherwise be a failure but that is a different story.
