Windsor

Microbrewery ready to sell beer again at Caesars after learning hard lessons

The reopening of Caesars can't come soon enough for the Brew Microbrewery. The owners have an agreement to sell beer at casino events and at one of the bars.

'Brew' owners have an agreement to sell beer at casino events and at one of the bars

Joshua Goure of Brew Microbrewery said the business had to concentrate on building new relationships during the 60-day Caesars Windsor strike. (Stacey Janzer/CBC)

The dice will be rolling again Thursday at Caesars Windsor after being closed due to a strike that lasted 60 days.

And for the Brew Microbrewery, the re-opening can't come soon enough. The owners have an agreement to sell beer at casino events and at one of the bars.

Brewmaster Jordan Goure is excited the casino is rescheduling performances which were postponed.

"I think it's just going to be bigger now — a lot more business compacted into these few months," said Goure.

He said they did benefit a little from the strike when Americans came over to the casino but found it shuttered. He said they came down the street to the microbrewery instead.

But the experience has taught 'Brew' they can't depend on the casino for their business as they have been doing.

"We have 40 other establishments in Windsor we sell beer to as well so we really had to concentrate on building new relationships during this period," said Goure.

Employees at Caesars Windsor accepted a third tentative agreement Monday, ending the 60-day strike. (Chris Ensing/CBC)

Meanwhile, Dave Schweitzer is glad to see the casino opening again.

Schweitzer isn't sure whether the casino customers will return right away or not.

"I don't know. Look at what baseball did when they went on strike. They lost people," said Schweitzer.

Goure, however, is counting on customers to return.

"I think everybody is pretty hungry to get back to the casino," said Goure.

Jason Gore at Brew Microbrewery said patrons of the casino often stop at his business before or after shows. They also sell their craft brews at Caesars. (Dale Molnar/CBC)

Caesars has rebooked several big name acts including Barry Manilow and Russell Peters who will perform next month, and comedian Amy Schumer who will perform in September.

The casino reopens Thursday at 11 a.m.