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Riggers Loft, the popular waterfront wine and music venue on the Richmond shoreline, has closed its doors after years of legal disputes with the city. Owners Barbara Brown and Kevin Brown announced the closure today, describing the decision as painful but inevitable after losing their battle against eviction by the Richmond Surplus Property Authority.
Riggers Loft faces new eviction case amid dispute over back rent
Attorneys for the City of Richmond’s Surplus Property Authority (SPA) have filed a new unlawful detainer (UD) case against waterfront winery and event space Riggers Loft Wine Company, citing the business’s most recent failure to pay rent. The new case, now before the Contra Costa County Superior Court, seeks to
Soren Hemmila
“With great sadness, this last weekend was our last,” the couple wrote in a farewell message to the community. “As sad as this moment is, there are a couple of things that Kevin and I can truly celebrate. One is that we were able to share this gorgeous spot with the Richmond (and greater) community… The other, and the most important, is the friendships forged at Riggers Loft.”
Located in a converted World War II shipbuilding warehouse at the Port of Richmond, Riggers Loft had become a fixture for live music, wine tasting, and community events since opening in 2016. The venue was home to multiple wineries, a cidery, and a wine collective, and drew regular crowds for concerts and waterfront gatherings.
But for years, the business operated under the shadow of litigation. The Richmond Surplus Property Authority had sought to remove Riggers Loft, accusing the operators of violating lease terms. The Browns argued that the eviction attempt was politically motivated and harmful to local businesses.
In July, the council voted to proceed with the eviction. According to the Browns, even a potential courtroom victory could not have saved them, given the uncertainty of trial timing and the threat of eviction orders.
“We still believe our case against the unlawful detainer was strong,” their farewell statement read. “However, the uncertainty of jury trials and the timing of eviction mean that even a legal victory would come too late to save the business.”
The closure marks the end of a venue that many residents saw as a bright spot for Richmond’s shoreline development. The Browns expressed gratitude to supporters who stood by them through the legal fight.
“It has meant the world to us,” they wrote. “We wish it could have ended differently but the city had the power, the resources and the final word.”
Looking ahead, the couple said they plan to focus on music, which has been their passion throughout the years.
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