Canada, ON: Folly Brewpub changes ownership

Toronto’s Folly Brewpub has announced that co-founders Luís Martins and Michelle Genttner have sold the College Street brewery, bar and restaurant, and are stepping away from the business effective February 16th, Canadian Beer News reported.

Folly has been purchased by the ownership group behind Toronto bars Roxy on King and Watson’s, who have brought in hospitality industry veteran Fritz Wahl to take over day-to-day operations from Genttner, while chef Dan Martin will be replacing Martins in the kitchen. Brewer John Jenkinson – who recently replaced the original brewing team of Christina Coady and Chris Conway – will remain in charge of the Folly brewing program.

Folly was opened by Martins and Genttner seven years ago as Habits Gastropub. The on-site brewery was added in 2014, and the name change to Folly took effect a year later.

In a statement, Wahl says that “the entire motivation is to continue running and expanding Folly with the quality and warmth that customers expect and deserve, whether they are at Folly or one of the fine beer-focused establishments serving Folly beers.”

“We’re going to take a small break to regroup and plan our next steps,” says Genttner. “We wish to express our most sincere gratitude to everyone that made our time at Habits and Folly memorable, and we are excited to share our upcoming plans once they are more concrete.”

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