Brewer moving into Merriman Valley spot

Spider Monkey to occupy former R. Shea’s location

Spider Monkey Brewing Company will move into the Merriman Valley location formerly owned by now-closed R. Shea Brewing.

Joseph Scaccio, CEO of property owner J-RS Commercial Properties, said Spider Monkey signed the lease earlier in March.

Scaccio said more than a dozen people had expressed interest in the space since R. Shea owner Ron Shea announced in February his business’s early March closure.

“I didn’t put a sign up. I didn’t do anything,” Scaccio said. He added he was “disappointed” to hear about R. Shea’s closure.

Spider Monkey ownership did not immediately respond to the Beacon Journal’s requests for comment.

Scaccio said he had purchased the equipment in the space that formerly belonged to R. Shea, including the brewing equipment, sinks, coolers and refrigerators.

“It’s not going to take a lot of work to get [the space] back up and running,” Scaccio said.

Scaccio declined to share monetary terms of the lease but said it is for two units — downstairs and upstairs — and for multiple years.

On Thursday, Northeast Ohio Craft Brewery News first reported the move.

The local craft beer news outlet had speculated on Facebook last week that Spider Monkey was going to move into the space. The post referenced a separate Facebook update by Spider Monkey that said “Something is brewing” with a beer mug emoji and a photo of a beer, which the news outlet said it recognized as the former R. Shea location.

In 2012, Spider Monkey released its first beer, Orange Barrel Ale, according to the company’s Facebook page. The beer was first served at The Barrel Room in North Canton, according to Northeast Ohio Craft Brewery News, and later sold in Akron-area stores.

Spider Monkey Brewing Company contract brews its Orange Barrel Ale, an American wheat ale, and Brumal Stout for Stark County-based Royal Docks Brewing Company, according to Tramonte Distributing.

More than 10 years ago, Spider Monkey also had plans to open a separate business, Black Squirrel Brewing Company in Kent. The owners planned to reuse the Black Squirrel name as of 2014.

Spider Monkey also acquired OSI Tobacco in Canton last May, the business shared on its Facebook page.