Books & Brews plans to close its south-side Indianapolis store this month, marking the latest closure announcement for the shrinking bookstore/taproom chain.
The South Indy store, 3808 Shelby St., will operate through Aug. 12 before closing permanently, operators announced Monday on social media.
“We have made the difficult decision to close … after 4 incredible years of serving you, our friends,” the announcement said. “COVID and road closures were just too much for us.”
In addition to the South Indy closure, the Books & Brews franchise in Zionsville is set to close when its lease expires on Sept. 30.
The two closures will leave Books & Brews with just two locations—its original flagship store near Interstate 69 and East 96th Street on Indianapolis’ northeast side and a franchise at 1551 N. Green St. in Brownsburg.
The chain had 10 in locations in 2019, but stores in Carmel, Broad Ripple, Mass Ave, Muncie, Noblesville and Oxford, Ohio, also have gone out of business.
The South Indy store plans to hold an auction on Aug. 13 from noon to 6 p.m. to sell remaining items and equipment.
Jason Wuerful launched Books & Brews in March 2014 as a family-friendly venue where visitors could relax, read books, get a locally-brewed beer on tap, play games or enjoy an appetizer. He began franchising locations in 2017.
Wuerful did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday morning.
Read More: Books & Brews chain continues to shrink with south-side closure – Indianapolis Business Journal