Big Storm Brewing faces eviction in Ybor City
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jun 3, 2024

Big Storm Brewing Co. will close its Ybor City location this month, after its landlord filed an eviction lawsuit alleging the brewery owes it nearly $400,000 in back payments.

Tampa-based Third Lake Partners filed an eviction complaint seeking possession of the brewery's taproom and restaurant space on May 31, Hillsborough County court records show. The eviction comes just over one year after Clearwater-based Big Storm opened in Centro Ybor.

In a statement to the Tampa Bay Business Journal, Big Storm said the location will close June 16.

"This decision was not made lightly, and we want to extend our deepest gratitude to all of you who have supported us," the statement said. "Our Ybor taproom has been a place of joy, creativity, and community since we opened our doors. The support and enthusiasm of our customers has been the heart of our taproom, and for that we are eternally grateful."

Big Storm was first notified that it was in default of its lease on or about May 10, according to the complaint, and that it owed its landlord $387,770.82 in past-due rent. On May 16, Third Lake served the brewery with a written demand to pay its past-due rent or turn over possession of the space within three business days. Third Lake says in its complaint that it terminated Big Storm's lease on May 30.

Third Lake CEO Ken Jones did not respond to a request for comment Monday morning.

Big Storm signed a lease for 11,268 square feet in Centro Ybor in April 2021, according to its lease, which was filed as an exhibit to the eviction lawsuit. The brewery's space was previously home to Hamburger Mary's.

Big Storm's opening in Ybor City was heralded as a sign of the historic district's ongoing revitalization. The brewery's space is on the second floor of Centro Ybor, overlooking Eighth Avenue.

The Ybor City eviction filing is not the only recent issue Big Storm has faced with a landlord. El-Rey Development Inc., which owns the brewery's Odessa taproom, filed a complaint against the brewery in March that sought a judge's order for eviction. The Pasco County clerk's office issued a default against the brewery in April; in May, a writ of possession was filed. The brewery announced the closure of the Odessa taproom on Facebook on May 21.

"Over the past decade, Pasco County has blossomed, offering many new and exciting places for families to gather for food and drink," the brewery's post said. "We are proud to have been part of this growth and thrilled that our beers (and spirits) are featured in many of these fantastic establishments. As part of this transition, our full-time staff from Pasco will be moving to Pinellas. We are excited to bring their experience and passion to our Clearwater operations."

In September 2023, Big Storm suddenly closed its downtown Cape Coral taproom, which opened in 2018, the Fort Myers News-Press reports. In Orlando, Anderson Place Construction sued Big Storm in early 2023, alleging the brewery owed it $61,442. A pre-trial hearing on the matter was scheduled for June 3.