In been just days since Sycamore Brewing’s co-founder was arrested on multiple felony charges. And the Charlotte, NC beer community is still reeling from its impact, as bars and other partners distance themselves from the brewery.

On December 10, authorities in Stanly County took 44-year-old Justin Brigham into custody on multiple felony charges, including statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl and breaking into a home, according to arrest records. Brigham is held at the Stanly County Detention Center on a $10 million bond and government officials say more charges are expected as the investigation continues.

Prosecutors have added several counts in the case, including three counts of statutory sex offense involving a minor under 15, one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, and one count of soliciting a child via computer, officials said at a press briefing. And not surprisingly the fallout from this horrific event is still reverberating throughout the Carolinas’ hospitality and retail sectors.

According to Axios, bars and restaurants across North and South Carolina have pulled Sycamore beer from taps and shelves and large grocery chains and local retailers have also ceased sales of Sycamore products amid growing public pressure.

Sycamore’s presence at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is also being phased out. Airport officials confirmed the brewery’s taproom in Concourse E will be replaced by a different dining concept following the controversy, though the space will remain open under new management during the transition.

Brigham’s wife and fellow co-founder, Sarah Taylor, is now listed as the sole managing member of Sycamore Brewing, a move the company says reflects both internal restructuring and an effort to stabilize operations amid the crisis.

And as the situation  continues to unfold, community advocates are pushing for far greater awareness of online safety for minors and support for survivors of abuse.

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