Walking Tree Brewery - Part 1: Saving a Historic Building with Craft Beer

Message Brian & ShawnaTucked away in Vero Beach sits an extraordinary 24,000 square foot piece of World War II history that nearly faced demolition. Instead, it became the home of Walking Tree Brewery, a testament to what happens when passion meets perseverance, even during tough economic times.Meet Mike and Brooke, the husband-and-wife team who transformed this abandoned 1940s naval aviation supply warehouse into one of Florida's distinctive craft breweries. What makes their story remarkable isn't just the jaw-dropping Douglas fir trusses soaring overhead or the clear 160-foot span that leaves first-time visitors momentarily speechless. It's the raw courage it took to leave stable jobs during economic uncertainty and survive what they affectionately call the "rice and beans years.""We were literally selling artwork at sidewalk fairs so that we could keep food on the table," Brooke reveals, describing the eighteen months between Mike leaving his lumber yard job and the brewery generating income. Their entrepreneurial journey began when Florida had just 50 craft breweries (compared to today's 430), spotting an opportunity that required tremendous vision.Perhaps most refreshing is their candid approach to business ownership. Brooke shares how transparency about mistakes has helped them maintain staff in an industry known for high turnover.Ready to experience this remarkable space and story yourself? Visit Walking Tree Brewery Tuesday through Sunday and witness how dreams can ferment into reality with enough determination and a historic building worth saving.Presented by Killer Bee MarketingHelping local businesses in Vero Beach connect with their neighbors. Support the showSupport The ShowKeep It Local. Keep It GoingBe sure to connect with us on Instagram at @myverobeachdotcom