The parent-business of the brewery that officially incorporated the unincorporated town of Julian into San Diego County’s craft-beer scene has closed its doors. Although Julian Brewing Company is still in operation and brewing beer, the entity taking up the vast majority of the property it’s located on, The Bailey Wood-Pit Barbecue (2307 Main Street, Julian) closed immediately following Memorial Day weekend. Originally, the business was scheduled to close prior to the holiday, but the decision was made to provide employees a three-day weekend to help cushion their job losses.
The Bailey and JBC started as a joint-venture between Pizza Port owners Vince and Gina Marsaglia and O’Brien’s Pub owners Tom and Lindsey Nickel. The quartet pooled their resources and elbow-grease to open in 2012. Later that year, the Nickels sold their stake in the businesses to the Marsaglias. The following year, the couple opened Nickel Beer Company on the opposite end of Julian’s hospitality- and retail-driven core. Brewing at JBC was sporadic at times following that parting-of-ways, yet The Bailey soldiered on, but without as much fanfare as it enjoyed at its inception.
Following original publication of this article, Vince Marsaglia reached out to clarify that JBC is still brewing and indicate there is no tasting room at present. He also confirmed that the restaurant component is being remodeled and that the menu will be changed prior to a reopening. No indications have been provided as to what that concept might be as of yet.