Kozuba & Sons Distillery Closes After 20 Years: What Went Wrong in St. Pete’s Spirits Scene?
Kozuba & Sons Distillery has officially called it quits. After 20 years in the craft spirits world, 10 in Poland and the last 10 here in the St. Pete area, the family announced they are closing their doors for good.
Their farewell message was full of gratitude, thanking fans, friends, and the community who supported them through tastings, private events, and countless shared toasts. But underneath the thank-yous lies a harder reality: another beloved St. Pete business has joined the growing list of local closures.
From Poland to Pinellas: A Family Legacy in Spirits
Kozuba & Sons began their journey overseas, where the family refined their craft in Poland before moving operations to Florida. Once in St. Pete, they became part of the city’s emerging reputation for craft breweries and distilleries. Their vodka, whiskey, and gin weren’t just drinks on the shelf. They became woven into the culture of events, celebrations, and the creative community itself.
For longtime supporters, the news doesn’t just feel like the end of a distillery. It feels like a piece of St. Pete’s identity has slipped away.
The Reality of Independent Distilling
The family didn’t provide full details about what forced the decision, but the struggles are clear. Independent distilleries across the country face rising rent, mounting operating costs, and pressure from large distributors. Post-pandemic financial strain only deepened the gap. Unlike global liquor giants that can spread risk across massive distribution, family-owned businesses often run on razor-thin margins that eventually give way.
Even with loyal fans and years of dedication, passion alone can’t always keep the doors open. In St. Pete, that’s becoming an all-too-common story.
Another Loss in a Season of Closures
The timing of Kozuba’s closure feels especially heavy because it comes during a wave of shutdowns across St. Pete. From long-standing restaurants to independent shops, the city has seen a troubling number of businesses close in recent months. Each one chips away at the character that makes this area unique and leaves locals wondering if development and rising costs are pushing out the very businesses that gave downtown its spark.
Kozuba’s farewell reminds us this isn’t just about one family or one distillery. It is part of a larger shift in the local economy that should concern anyone who cares about keeping St. Pete’s small-business culture alive.
A Farewell and a Warning
The Kozuba family signed off with gratitude for two decades of craft, community, and memories. And while they deserve every bit of respect for what they created, their closure should also be read as a warning. If a distillery this respected couldn’t survive, who will be next?
St. Pete has branded itself as a city for makers and innovators. The question now is whether that reputation can hold if the businesses that built it keep disappearing.