The faces behind Front Street Brewery’s next chapter

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Front Street Brewery has been a Wilmington staple for almost three decades, and two of its new owners, Sam Sumner and Josh Cranford, have a connection to its history. Their journey at the brewery began in the kitchen and has since evolved into ownership.

Josh started at Front Street Brewery in 2007 as a fry cook, and Sam joined the team in 2010 as a line cook.

“I ended up getting a job here for about seven months, worked alongside Josh in the kitchen, went off and studied, did a whole bunch of stuff career-wise, and came back in 2018.”

After Sam returned, both took on managerial roles. Together, they navigated the challenges of running a business during the pandemic.

“We learned a ton, and I think the challenge now is continuing to stay relevant after 30 years.”

As Sam and Josh continue to take the brewery into its next chapter,  Josh believes that consistency is key.

“We have to make some tweaks to keep people’s interest, but we need to keep those standards people have come to expect—like the nachos. They’ve tasted the same for years, and that IPA is still the same as it was. We need to keep those staples, and then build around them.”

For both Sam and Josh, the people they’ve worked with and the community that has supported Front Street Brewery are what matter most.

“I would 100 percent say the people, the team that we have, the location that we have, the network of people we have helped shape downtown as far as what we have going on…”

“A lot of long-tenured staff, so you get a consistent product and experience when you come through the doors…”

Sam and Josh are excited to carry the brewery forward. They also have some exciting plans for the brewery’s 30th anniversary party, which is already “on tap.”