Voodoo Brewing in New Kensington to remain open amid other closures

Voodoo Brewing in New Kensington is here to stay, despite the closure of the company’s Pittsburgh and Seven Fields locations.

It’s because Voodoo Brewery, located at 956 5th Ave. in downtown New Kensington, is independently run and owned.

“We are an independent location, so we’re not beholden to any corporate decisions they make to close locations,” said Operations Manager Michelle Thom.

Tuesday was the North Shore Voodoo’s final night of business after almost three years in operation. The news comes just over two months after Voodoo closed its Seven Fields location.

Voodoo Brewery was founded in 2005 in Meadville, with the first taproom opening in 2012. Since then, more than 20 locations have opened in Pennsylvania, Ohio and other states.

In August 2021, the Voodoo in Grove City closed.

“What a blast it’s been serving the North Shore,” the Sunday Facebook announcement said. “We’ve made the call to close the pub so we can double down on what we do best: brewing world-class beer and making it more available throughout Pennsylvania.”

Voodoo said the North Shore closure will allow the brewing company to improve production, expand distribution and support its “growing network” of franchise locations — like the New Kensington one — across the country.

“We’re one of the independent locations,” Thom said. “They have quite a few around the country right now.”

Voodoo focusing more on its franchises will help preserve the supply of beer to the New Kensington location, she said.

Though it’s been difficult for restaurants to survive post-pandemic, Thom said Voodoo in New Kensington doesn’t need to make lots of money.

Thom also has roles at Olde Towne Overhaul and Mito Insulation, as well as other properties in New Kensington, Johnstown and Vandergrift.

“Our location is part of a bigger plan to revitalize downtown New Kensington,” she said. “The location is downtown to help be a community hub.”

And it’s a prominent one at that, New Kensington Mayor Tom Guzzo said — as people are coming from “everywhere” to go to Voodoo.

“Voodoo’s just done a tremendous job of bringing people to our downtown, first of all,” he said. “That gives us an opportunity to showcase all of the things happening downtown.”

The brewery has spearheaded and participated in numerous downtown events, according to Guzzo, such as Fridays on Fifth.

He said he’s not concerned about the New Kensington Voodoo location closing anytime soon.

“They’re pretty embedded in downtown New Ken,” Guzzo said.