June 17, 2009 Mary-Kate Roan

mkroan@connectstatesboro.com

    It’s hard to imagine the place was once known as sophisticated.
    At one time, Statesboro Brews was the epitome of downtown Statesboro and its glory days of happy hours and after hours meetings, when dedicated workers would make the trek to the doors and up the stairs to enjoy a martini with co-workers and friends.
    But now, the doors have closed. The life is gone, just like the furniture – even the piano in the bar room.
    The stairs still crack when walking on them, but that’s about all that remains to be recognized in the building. And though Statesboro Brews was once a popular downtown establishment, it’s now an empty room and another statistic for the downtrodden economy.
    “The property that had housed Statesboro Brews was foreclosed on by the bank in June and the bank currently has possession of it,” said Wayne Akins, chief executive officer and president of Sea Island Bank. “Of course the bank doesn’t want to own it, so we’re seeking to market it to interested parties.”
    But it wasn’t just Statesboro Brews that dissolved from downtown when the economy bit another chunk out of Statesboro.
    “There were at least three operating businesses in the building,” said Akins. “Downstairs was Abbigail’s on Main Street, Statesboro Brews and a financing company.”
    There were also lofts above the businesses.
    Statesboro Brews was, just a few years ago, being praised and awed at for its sleek decorations. The 100-year-old building was renovated into beauty, with touches of life given to the atmosphere to provide downtown business men and women the opportunity to be in walking distance of a happy hour with class.
    The bank hopes the property will be sold soon, and new businesses put in place where the trio of establishments once thrived.
“We’ve got the property for sale and interested parties can certainly contact the bank,” said Akins.

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