Photo Credit: Copper Creek via Facebook

Before the craft beer explosion, Copper Creek Brewing Co., on Washington Street, had a lot less competition. Lately, it's been overshadowed, and now it's shutting its doors, with Saturday, Nov. 18 set as its last day in business. A nice statement posted on its Facebook page reads, in part:

We want to sincerely thank the people of Athens, our loyal clientele, that have supported us all these wonderful years. The local craft beer community has grown exponentially since we first opened our doors, and it's time for us to allow this new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to build on all of our successes. May your pint glass always be full, and please always support your local brewery!

In other news, Heirloom Cafe has lost its chef, Joel Penn, to the Wrecking Bar, in Atlanta, which is a real shame, as he brought a solid, interesting perspective to the job. Garrett Macfalda, previously the sous-chef at home.made, has snagged the job and starts Nov. 20, although he won't have a new menu in place for a few months after that.