By Guy Page

Vermont Pub & Brewery, a popular eatery located at the corner of College and St. Paul streets in Burlington, announced Monday, October 26 that it will close its doors next month. The announcement on the ‘vtpubandbrew’ Instagram page cited the slow recovery since 2020, a year marked by Covid and downtown civil unrest.

“After 38 wonderful years, The Vermont Pub & Brewery is sadly closing our doors. Since 2020, we’ve struggled to get back to the level of business that is necessary to sustain our operation, and unfortunately we just don’t have the resources to hold out any longer for that day to come. Our last full day of service will be Saturday, November 14, three days after our 38th anniversary on November 11,” the announcement said. 

Vermont Pub & Brewery was the first modern Vermont pub to serve beer manufactured onsite.  Prior to the opening of Vermont Pub & Brewery, founder and owner Greg Noonan enlisted the aid of Bill Mares, who was then the state legislator, to seek changes in the existing legislation governing the on-site sale of manufactured beer. Together, they rewrote the language of law to allow manufacturers to sell their malt beverages on-site. After a certain amount of drafting acrobatics, that idea found favor with the state Liquor Control Board, and then progressively with four legislative committees, both legislative chambers, and finally, Governor Madeline Kunin. 

“Today, every brewery that offers beer for consumption on their brewery premises owes a debt of gratitude to both Greg and Bill for their efforts,” the Vermont Brewers Association said on its website.

Owner Elise Pecor expressed gratitude in the Monday night post to her staff and regular patrons. “We owe a debt of gratitude to our beloved staff, past and present, as well as a myriad of regular patrons, many of whom have been coming in since day one! We are honored to have been a part of your lives for so many years, and we will truly miss you all…..Greg’s legacy does not end with the closing of VPB, but he will live on in our hearts and in every sip of Vermont craft beer and beyond.”

Vermont Pub & Brewery owner Elise Pecor was among the more outspoken downtown business owners pleading with City Hall to control the city’s homeless problem. VPB is located between City Hall Park and the Baptist Church premises, both favorite hangouts of the city’s homeless population. BDN reported on August 28 that Pecor said employees have struggled to keep the business’s patio clean and safe. “We’ve had someone defecate on our patio three days in a row,” Pecor said. She also reported foot traffic is down 20% from last year.

Underneath the announcement on the Vermont Pub & Brewery’s Instagram page, Former customers waxed nostalgic. For example:

“First place I ever sat and ate in Burlington in 1992 when I started college in Vermont. First place we took our newborn daughter in 2009 and now she works there. VPB is a part of the fabric of our family and you will be missed sorely.” And – 

“I remember going here with some college friends, and his parents who were visiting from abroad, during senior week back in 07. We had such a great time at the pub and after leaving when you guys were closing down for the night, we all asked what we should do, to which his dad replied “we go to the music” and we went and finished the party at Red Square. Epic night. You guys are legendary.”