Garage Project steps in to save Fortune Favours' bar and brewery

The co-owner of Wellington beer brand Fortune Favours says he's "stoked" that Garage Project will be taking on their central Wellington Brewery bar after its abrupt closure last week.

Shannon Thorpe said skyrocketing costs and a 45 percent down-turn in revenue over the last two years had forced the closure of the brewery.

The announcement came just days after the brand won a top honour this year's annual Beervana beer festival.

Fortune Favours was founded by Thorpe and head brewer Dale Cooper in 2016.

Thorpe said he was grateful to all his crew who continued to work last week as the outpouring of support turned the brewery's final days into some of their busiest.

"The staff were awesome. They fronted up every day and still delivered great service. We had a really bumper last week and with that came a lot of busy-ness and a lot of emotion from the team as well," Thorpe said.

He told staff of the sale during their final drinks last Sunday.

"It's a special space there so [we're] pretty happy that it will continue to be a hospitality spot and a brew pub space," Thorpe said.

Fortune Favours was set up in a building that formerly housed a dipstripping business in the shadow of the former Hannah's footwear factory on Leeds Street in the central city.

Thorpe said the sale meant the brewing equipment they installed into the building would not go to waste.

"I've been waking up at 3 o'clock in the morning in cold sweats thinking about how I was going to remove the tanks from the site.

"Being a brew bar with tanks across two levels it was quite a mission to get everything set up an installed in the first place. If someone's come in and [can] continue with everything in situ that's a massive load off my mind."

Garage Project founder and head brewer Pete Gillespie said the Fortunes Favours bar would stay closed for a short while to allow them to "put our stamp on the venue".

"Shannon and Dale converted an essentially quasi-derelict building into one of the best brew bars in the middle of Wellington. They did an amazing job and it is sad to see people struggling and having to close their doors. They've created something incredible there and we're really excited to be able to take it up and keep running with it," Gillespie told RNZ.

They would meet with former Fortune Favours workers next week to discuss how best to "absorb their staff into the GP family".

The bar's Leeds Street location would plant Garage Project amongst a vibrant collection of businesses like Golding's Free Dive bar, Mr Go's and The Chocolate Factory.

"I really love it when you end up with a group of really dynamic businesses. All those people have already been involved with trying to reinvigorate the inner city of Wellington and we're really excited to be joining in," he said.

"The last three years for us - and for a lot of people in Wellington - it has been hard. The news is often filled with doom and gloom stories, but I don't think it's going to go on for ever."

On Tuesday, Garage Project were announced as the exclusive beer partners in a major revamp of the long-dormant band rotunda at Oriental Bay.

Property investment firm Watson Group have unveiled plans for the waterfront site, which will see restaurateur and chef Ben Bayly leading the food alongside plans for a huge casual eatery, Garage Project beer bar, rooftop bar and terrace.

Construction of the fit‑out is set to begin early 2026, aiming for a late‑2026 opening, Wellington City Council said.

Gillespie said the double dose of news for the brewery made for an exciting week at Garage Project.

"The pavilion must be one if the most iconic buildings, in one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of Wellington.

"It's almost become a bit symbolic, hasn't it? Sitting there - so much potential - and yet just languishing. I can't imagine two places I'd rather sit down and have a beer on one of those magic Wellington days," Gillespie said.

Shannon Thorpe said he'd been so wrapped up in winding down Fortune Favours he'd barely had a second to think about life after the closure.

"Next week I'm going to have a sleep and then spend a bit of time with the family and kids.

"I'll start to look and see what else is out there but I need a couple of weeks - or a month or two - to kick back, to lick my wounds a little bit and just reflect on what has been eight great years as well.

"It has been a really cool ride we've had so I'm glad that we are wrapping things up in a really nice way. It's got a good feel to it. I'm really happy with how it's all finished in the end," Thorpe said.