The Boshkung Lakeside retail operation in Carnarvon is closing permanently Dec. 31.
Once the flagship location for the Boshkung Brewing Co. brand, the space has been noticeably less busy in recent years, says co-owner Mathew Renda. A decline in sales, rejig of the company’s brewing practices, and renewed focus on food services, has rendered the site redundant, Renda added.
“It’s a difficult decision and not one we’ve taken lightly… this pivotal establishment has been the birthplace of numerous flagship beers over the years. But it was time for us to say goodbye,” Renda said. “It used to be super popular and busy, but that’s slowed down over time.”
When he and business partner, Mike Rae, bought the business earlier this year, one of their primary goals was to establish Boshkung as a leading player in the Highlands’ food and hospitality space. That was going to be a practical impossibility at Lakeside, given it operated out of the same building as Rhubarb Restaurant.
“We couldn’t do our own food there, so that limited us,” Renda said.
With Rhubarb being on the market, there was uncertainty over what a potential sale could mean for Lakeside, which Renda noted also factored into the decision.
Boshkung Brewing Co. was launched by Chris and Teri Mathews-Carl, who also own Rhubarb, in 2014. The brand expanded into downtown Minden in 2016, with the opening of Boshkung Social. After Renda and Rae bought the company, they brought Truss Foodworks into the fold, rebranding as Boshkung Smokehouse in fall 2023. The company has a restaurant located in Haliburton Forest, and a seasonal operation on Kennisis Lake during the summer.
Around 90 per cent of Boshkung’s business this year has been done at the Social and Smokehouse, Renda said.
Renda paid homage to the previous owners for helping to establish the Boshkung brand, in the Highlands and beyond.
“We are super appreciative for all they’ve done – they started the business; this was their vision and now we’re trying to push it forward. This felt like the right time for us to move out on our own and start to build our own empire,” Renda said.
