Fermented beverage manufacturer to take over empty brewery facility in Wilmington

A long-empty Wilmington brewery will get new life as a beverage company prepares to take over the space. FedUp Foods will be adding a production facility in the former TRU Colors Brewery & Taproom at 715 Greenfield St. in Wilmington, according to a press release from the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

FedUp Foods is the largest private label fermented beverage manufacturer in North America, according to the release. It was founded by Jeannine Buscher and Sarah Mullins in Asheville in 2008 and has grown from a business that started with home-brewed kombucha to one that creates a variety of health-conscious beverages such as prebiotic and probiotic sodas, pineapple-based tepache, and cold brew coffee. Their offerings include the Buchi brand kombucha.

The company also has a mission that focuses on regenerative practices.

“We, as industry leaders, are committed partners in meeting the rising demand for high-quality, good-for-you beverages at an accessible price point, while also contributing positively to the communities and environment that make our business possible,” said David Gray, CEO of FedUp Foods, in the release. “We're excited to grow and carry our mission forward in this next phase of our journey with the City of Wilmington."

More: A Tale of TRU Colors: Tragic incidents overshadow brewery's mission, but work continues

More: TRU Colors was set to launch its second beer. Then, it announced it would close.

They also have facilities in Marshall, N.C. and Erwin, Tenn. In Wilmington, the grand opening should take place late summer. They plan to employ about 100 people.

"Our aim is to offer job advancement and opportunities for the local workforce, contributing to the economic well-being of the area, as we have successfully done in the Asheville area over the past 15 years," Mullins said. "We are proud to offer a supportive environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally."

The TRU Colors gang-member run brewery that was the subject of l ocal and national media attention and controversy closed its newly built taproom in September 2022 .The chamber said the announcement is a result of the collaborative efforts from local economic development teams in the area. Natalie English, president and CEO for the chamber, said that Wilmington’s location, and infrastructure investments were among the reasons that FedUp Foods chose the area.

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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Fermented beverage manufacturer to take over empty brewery facility in Wilmington