Popular Tri-Cities brewery Moonshot has bad news for Richland pub fans

Moonshot Brewing, the popular Tri-Cities brewery that launched in Kennewick in 2019, is closing the Richland pub it opened three years ago.

The Pub at the Park, 94 Lee Blvd., will close after last call on Oct. 25, owners Hilary Bird and Ryan Wattenbarger announced this week to members of the brewery’s Apollo Club.

Moonshot will retain its original Kennewick location, 8804 W. Victoria Ave., near Gage Boulevard and Steptoe Street.

The couple said they could no longer keep Richland open. Two employees are moving to the Kennewick shop.

“(W)e ask all of you to come to the Pub at the Park over these net couple of weeks to enjoy the food, the beer, the atmosphere, and the community of people there including our incredible staff. Truly hardworking and incredibly kind people who would love to share these last days with you in the best possible sendoff,” they said.

Wattenbarer and Bird opened the brewery in 2019.

He is a Sunnyside native with deep roots in the beverage industry who was once head brewer for Snipes Mountain Brewery & Restaurant.

The couple leveraged an inheritance to create their own business.