Metric Brewing, which has called the Knob Hill neighborhood home for the last seven years, is in need of a new location. But owners are adamant that they will not be closing the brewery, currently located at 1213 N. Circle Drive.

Since opening in 2018, the brewery has become a hub for the Knob Hill neighborhood and beyond, where many of the bartenders are on a first-name basis with the regulars.

Moving an entire brewery is easier said than done, as Metric’s current location is completely custom, co-owner Chase Perry said. After a move, it may take time to get things fully up and running.

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“So much is dependent on what is close to where we are now. … We are looking,” Perry said. “It’s sad, but hopefully not the end. … We have a couple last events planned, mainly as a thank you to this community.”

The news was unexpected and completely out of Metric’s control, a post on the brewery’s social media accounts said. Customers were encouraged to “come raise a glass with us over the next month.”

And so they did: Customers showed up in force last week, demonstrating the strong community Metric has fostered since opening. The week of the announcement, customers formed a line that wrapped around the front of the house as they showed their support for the local brewery.

Averi Holly was among those regulars who stopped by this week, arriving with her family and noting how perfect the location is.

Nestled next to a Safeway and an Ace Hardware, she said her family can shop for the week, get tools and supplies for projects and then enjoy a drink at the family-friendly brewery.

Holly said she is disappointed with the announcement, saying it felt like the landlords yanked the rug out from under Metric.

“It’s not like they’re kicking out Coors, this is Metric’s only location, and now they’re scrambling to find a new place,” she said. “We’re just wondering what the net benefit of taking away this resource will be.”

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Metric must vacate its current location by July 6, Perry said. The building is owned by Lafayette North Circle Retail LLC, which is in “good standing” with the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office. The Gazette attempted to contact Lafayette North Circle Retail and their designated representative as listed on the secretary of state’s website, but did not receive a response before print time.

Four “government branches” are allegedly poised to move into the building, one owner said. Specific details remain murky, though a Metric owner added that their rent would have been much higher if they stayed.

Two of the units in the building are vacant, Perry said, but others are occupied by Hidalgo’s Kitchen, a Papa Murphy’s Pizza and a Supercuts barber shop. It is not immediately clear which other units will be affected.

Metric Brewing announced the news via social media. A Facebook post prompted over 120 comments. Many suggested Metric move into the former home of FH Beerworks, which closed in December.

Perry reiterated on Wednesday that they are still looking for a new location, but also highlighted new beers being released this week as Metric attempts to operate somewhat normally.

Wednesday will see an easy India Pale Ale release andFriday sees the arrival of a blood orange whit.

Metric was officially opened in 2018 and survived through the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers a place for Colorado Springs residents, new and old, to build community, Holly said.

“I’m just worried that they’ll be screwed over,” she said. “Like if someone comes in here for just six months and then leaves. … I hope that doesn’t happen.”

“I hope enough people show up and make noise about it to get it to change,” she added.

The company will continue to operate until the end of the month and said it is still rolling out new beers weekly. Metric Brewing is hopeful that it will find a new location, as it says the brewery’s story is “not over.”

“It’s a bummer,” Perry said, referencing the closure. “We (run the brewery) for the community.”