757 embraces ‘local woke mob' slogan after credited with controversial brewery closing
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Armed Forces Brewery had a controversial arrival into the 757. So it should come as no surprise that it would leave the same way.
Armed Forces Brewing Company leaving Norfolk, to relocate elsewhere
After its tumultuous arrival into Ghent despite the hurdles and protests from some locals, the business is closing its doors and seeking relocation. The CEO, Alan Beal, blamed the 'local woke mob' for its lack of success; a phrase that some residents and businesses have now adopted as a satirical badge of honor.
Armed Forces Brewing Company opens up its taps
Executive Director of the 757 Creative ReUse Center, Beth Dryer, has been invested in the downfall of the brewery since discussions of its arrival back in 2023. Dryer was among those who spoke at the Norfolk Town Halls explaining why the business should be barred from coming. Happy to see the business leave, Dryer created pins with the phrase 'Local woke mob.'
When Dryer heard the news of the closing, and the CEO's reasoning, she decided to use the 18 pin kits from her locally-owned thrift supplies and crafts store to make pins that could be handed out with any donation. Upon seeing the success of her product, Dryer has order more products with the same design, including 200 stickers, more pins and even T-shirts. A fundraiser was created for those wanting a shirt, already surpassing the store owner's goal.
Norfolk Candle at Selden Market is another business embracing the phrase and branding it into their products. The Local Woke Mob candle has recently been restocked after selling out. The candle 'smells like banned books', according to the company's website. The community's response to the product was described as 'beautiful.'
Norfolk Candle donates $3 from every 'Local Woke Mob' candle to The Freedom to Read Foundation.
Back when resident got wind of the business' potential arrival, many were not thrilled, citing supposed anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. One of its owners, Robert O'Neill, allegedly made racist and homophobic remarks. O'Neill is a former U.S. Navy SEAL Team 6 member who says he shot and killed Osama Bin Laden.
Military-themed brewery wants to open in a big Navy town. An ex-SEAL is getting in the way
After push back from political leaders, threats of lawsuits from the company and protests from locals, the business was finally established in Norfolk. The business became a money pit in 2024, reporting an unaudited net income loss of $1.76 million in June 30, 2024 for the six months prior, according to the Securities and Exchange filing.
Armed Forces Brewing Company attorney challenges legality for denial of conditional permits in Norfolk
During the beginning and end of the six-month period, the business dropped from a cash and cash equivalent of $282,549 to just $12,239, according to an unaudited report.
Black Lives Matter 757 President JaPharii Jones said the city of Norfolk and the surrounding community were not OK with the 'anti-woke' rhetoric.
'We had expressed our disdain and disapproval of the brewery and them not seeming to be very open to inclusiveness,' Jones said.
The closing of the brewery is a testament of what can happen when communities band together to not support something, Jones said. 'A 40-day boycott is also underway for companies like Target and Amazon for ending their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, Jones said.
'It goes to show that if you don't, you know, support your surrounding community, if you're not inclusive, your business very well might be shut down by the 'local woke mob,'' Jones said.
Jones said he thinks the business could've succeeded if they were willing to listen to the locals.
'I'd rather them have a sit down, talk to people, find out their concerns, address those and maybe something could've been fixed,' Jones said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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