Rodney Fickas
A lot of rumors are floating around concerning what is happening at the Ferguson Brewery. I hope we can dispel any wild rumors you have heard and try to let everyone know what is happening.
I sat down with Rodney Fickas the owner of soulcraft. He and his wife Julie are in the process of purchasing the Ferguson Brewing Company.
Rumor: The brew house is closing: True. The business name will be gone, but the building will be going through some renovations and re-branding to the Good News Brewing Company
Rumor: Everyone working at the Ferguson Brewing company will lose their jobs. False, Rodney assured me that he wants to keep the familiar faces. He is hopeful that the good people who have been working there will come work for him. However, those logistics still need to be worked out.
Rumor: Food options are going away. True/False, Rodney said he will be keeping some items but also adding wood fired pizza. He intends to have a full lunch and dinner menu. He is planning on installing the pizza oven out in the open where it becomes part of the experience going to the Good News Brewing Company.
Good News Brewing Company is an established brewery that started in Alton, Illinois. There are currently six locations around the area. Alton Il, St. Charles Mo, O’fallon, Mo, Defiance Mo, Wildwood Mo, and Augusta Mo. Rodney is hoping to bring a sense of community to this location and hopes to make this a destination for Ferguson residents as well as those who live elsewhere.
Personally, I was overjoyed when I heard the brewery would not be shuttering its doors. There will be a few months down time while renovations are made. Rodney explained that he still is working on the purchase of the building. If everything goes right, he will take ownership as the new year comes in. With all the work that needs to be done he is hoping to open sometime around the beginning of March.
Rodney is from Springfield Illinois and his wife Julie is from Waterloo. They are relatively new residents having moved here five years ago. He and his wife are visionaries and are hoping to help re-vitalize Ferguson. They already have SoulCraft for mentoring people on woodworking and I think we all agree that the Brewery is pretty much a staple here as it is a gathering place. And that is his vision: create a destination where people want to gather.
As Ferguson goes through this transition, I pray we will continue to support our local businesses.
Papa Deau
