MAYOR ELICKER CELEBRATES THE GRAND OPENING OF ARMADA BREWING, A NEW TAPROOM & CRAFT BREWERY, IN RESTORED BIGELOW BOILER FACTORY BUILDING IN FAIR HAVEN NEIGHBORHOOD 

NEW HAVEN, CT – Today, Mayor Justin Elicker joined the owner of Armada Brewing, John Kraszewski, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of Armada’s new taproom and craft brewery at 190 River Street, a rehabilitated former Bigelow Boiler factory building in New Haven’s historic Fair Haven neighborhood. Kraszewski has spent the last year renovating the two-story, Civil War-era structure, transforming it into a modern taproom with views of New Haven harbor. The project was financed in part by Liberty Bank and in part through a $30,000 grant that the City provided Armada to defray certain renovation and infrastructure costs and spur the creation of 15 new jobs. 

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the city’s economy and our city’s culture. Thanks to local business owners like John Kraszewski, we’re seeing new investment, new jobs -- and with Armada Brewery, new beers -- coming to New Haven’s historic neighborhoods,” said Mayor Justin Elicker.  “Doubly exciting is seeing a historic building linked to New Haven’s industrial past being repurposed and revitalized to support the city’s economic growth today and into the future.”

Kraszewski’s foray into craft brewing began when he was living in Chicago where, in his words, “a passion for craft beer and fantasy adventure stories collided on a kitchen stove top.” Armed with a collection of recipes, he moved back to his home state of Connecticut and launched Armada Brewing in 2017. With the opening of Armada’s new taproom on River Street, Kraszewski has taken the next step toward realizing his dream of turning New Haven into a “craft beer mecca”. 

Also attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Stephen Fontana, the City of New Haven’s Deputy Director of Economic Development, and Dan Quesnel, Liberty Bank’s Vice President & Business Banking Officer, among others.

“New Haven is attracting a growing number of vibrant, innovative, and exciting small businesses, and Armada Brewing is the latest example,” added Stephen Fontana, New Haven’s Deputy Director of Economic Development. “Armada is yet another reason why New Haven has become the go-to destination in Connecticut for fine dining, entertainment, and now, craft beer.”