South End market and brewery join 3 Charlotte eatery-pubs closed after COVID-19 tests

Common Market South End and a west Charlotte brewery closed temporarily on Sunday, joining three popular Charlotte restaurant-pubs that closed Friday after employees tested positive for COVID-19.

Town Brewing Co. closed temporarily Sunday after an employee tested positive for the virus, the brewery posted on Facebook. The employee last worked on Friday and “had minimal interaction with customers,” according to the post.

The brewery on Grandin Road will be closed for cleaning, and staff will be tested for the virus, management posted. A reopening date was not announced.

Common Market South End, a convenience store, deli and bar, posted its temporary closure notice on Instagram Sunday morning. “Unfortunately we learned that a staff member has tested positive for Covid-19,” it said.

The market on West Tremont Avenue plans to reopen at 8 a.m. Tuesday, after the store is professionally sanitized and other staff are tested for the disease, according to the post.

The employee who tested positive has not been in the building since Wednesday, management posted.

“We take this very seriously and we hope you understand this decision in these trying times,” according to the post. “The CM family has been incredibly supportive during the past 9 months, for which we are forever thankful.”

The market “will continue to strictly adhere to the CDC guidelines concerning face coverings, social distancing, and sanitation,” management posted.

The Gin Mill South End on South Tryon Street also closed temporarily after two employees tested positive, management posted on Facebook.

A worker at Thomas Street Tavern tested positive on Friday, prompting the establishment to close until all employees can be tested and the site thoroughly cleaned, management posted on social media Saturday.

And The Workman’s Friend on Central Avenue in Plaza Midwood closed after one employee tested positive, the Irish restaurant and pub posted on Facebook.

The Workman’s Friend will stay closed until Wednesday, Dec. 9, “out of an abundance of caution,” according to the post. “We thank you all for your unwavering support and look forward to pouring your pints again soon!”

The Gin Mill South End will stay shuttered until at least Thursday, Dec. 10, according to its post.

“This time will be used to have all of our other employees tested and a thorough cleaning and sanitization of the Gin Mill,” management posted. “Our main priority is the safety of our employees and customers.

“If we do not feel it is safe to open by December 10, we will delay this opening and re-open when we fee it is safe for all concerned.”

From restaurants to breweries, many other Charlotte gathering spots have closed temporarily at times during the pandemic after employees tested positive for the disease.

On Thursday, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery on Yancey Road in Charlotte temporarily closed its restaurant after an employee reported testing positive for COVID-19.

Two other Charlotte breweries announced COVID-19-related closures in recent days.

VBGB Beer Hall and Garden said on social media Tuesday that due to the coronavirus and “limited operating capabilities,” the beer hall at Avidxchange Music Factory will temporarily close Dec. 13, The Charlotte Observer reported.

Another Charlotte beer hall closes for now, citing the coronavirus pandemic

That announcement followed another brewery, Sycamore Brewing in South End, saying it would temporarily close its taproom starting Dec. 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and colder weather. The brewery is open for delivery and pickup.

Staff writer Cailyn Derickson contributed.

South End brewery closes taproom temporarily, citing COVID-19 and colder weather