“West Side Brewery Implements Kid Ban for Safety Concerns”
Forest City Brewery, a popular spot for beer enthusiasts, music lovers, and sports fans, has made a significant policy change: children are no longer welcome.
Owner Jay Demagall explained the decision, saying, “Kids were being kids, but it became exacerbated when it was becoming a safety issue and parents weren’t monitoring the children.”
The brewery, which has been in operation for nearly nine years and is located at the site of the country’s oldest beer garden (which operated from 1965 to 1915), is rich in history but is now moving to an adults-only environment. “I came in here to use the restroom and saw five kids throwing things and breaking stuff,” Demagall recounted. “We had to do something.”
The decision to ban children was not solely driven by safety issues; customer feedback also played a role. “Some customers complained about the kids and their behavior, and we had staff concerns as well,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Demagall is open to the possibility of allowing kids back in under certain conditions. “We are still exploring ways to include kids in a safe manner, where we can have someone monitoring the area or situation,” he said.
Despite the ban, Demagall does not anticipate any negative impact on business and is excited for the fall season filled with baseball and football. “But until then, it’s sixteen and older!” he concluded.
