Crafting Success: Ellie Craig’s impactful journey at Front Street Brewery comes to an end
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Port City is saying “see you later” to someone who’s had a big impact on the brewery and craft beer community.
Ellie Craig started at Front Street Brewery 15 years ago. Since then, she worked her way up to marketing and sales manager at the brewery.
“Front Street Brewery was the seventh brewery in the state to open up,” Craig said. “You see how many craft breweries in the state of North Carolina, you see how many craft breweries we have here locally, regionally. It’s been beautiful to watch that blossom and grow.”
Additionally, she’s become president of the Cape Fear Craft Beer Alliance, joined the legislative committee of the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild, and become a member of the board of directors for the Wilmington Area Hospitality Association.
Next month, Craig is moving to Colorado to pursue a degree in environmental studies and hopes to continue working in the brewing industry.
In the past 15 years, she’s learned that working in a brewery is much more than just brewing beer.
“Breweries have become our public houses. They’re where we gather, where we celebrate,” Craig said. “We celebrate birthdays, we celebrate births, weddings, retirements. To be a part of people’s lives…that all happens inside our craft breweries.”
Along with all the memories, Craig says she’s packing the perseverance she learned from the Cape Fear as she heads out west.
“We all came together and worked together and worked with other businesses to help restore business to Downtown Wilmington after Hurricane Florence. We survived the COVID pandemic together and really worked through that. We created a free grocery program for people that lost their jobs during COVID,” Craig said. “Those challenges that we faced and came together as a community and fought through and overcame…that’s the most special thing.”
Craig’s last day at Front Street Brewery will be Friday, November 17.
This week, Craig was presented with the Industry Impact Award by the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild.
