"We are so thankful for the community we built together. And we’re confident that the connections we've made will continue to have a positive impact in Marysville. Thanks for 3 whimsical and zany years."
That's what Teddy Valinski, owner of Walking Distance Brewing Co., shared on the brewery's Facebook page on Feb. 25, three days before it poured its final pint and closed its doors for good.
Valinski didn't elaborate on the closure, except to tell The Columbus Dispatch, "Without a doubt, our business was slowed down from the slander. ... It's sad that the attacks made even supporters feel unsafe coming."
The "slander" he referred to was an onslaught of online hate targeting the brewery's support of the LGBTQ+ community. Events like a June 2022 Yaaas Queen Drag Bingo night and other LGBTQ+ gatherings drew the ire of the Union County Faith Family Coalition, which launched a campaign of social media harassment. The group smeared the brewery as "little Epstein's island," accused it of pedophilia and grooming, and labeled it a "den of depravity."
Running a small craft brewery is brutally hard. Margins are razor-thin. Competition is relentless. But when you're also one of the only openly LGBTQ+ friendly spaces in a conservative town? The challenge is even greater.
This isn't just another brewery closing. It's not just another casualty of economic conditions or shifting consumer habits. It's another painful example of how hard it is for businesses that actually try to do the right thing to survive. Walking Distance created a space where people felt safe, and it still wasn't enough. It's infuriating that in 2025, inclusivity is a business liability instead of a strength.
That pisses me off. And it should piss you off, too.
Bigotry shouldn't be a business risk, but here we are. Walking Distance tried to build something welcoming and good. Hate tore it down. The next time someone tells you discrimination is a thing of the past, remind them that in 2025, a brewery had to close because it dared to be inclusive. Then go spend your money at businesses that stand for what's right. They need your support more than ever.