Invictus Brewing Closing as Blaine’s Redevelopment Boom Accelerates
Invictus Brewing Co. in Blaine is preparing to close its doors for good on December 21, marking the end of a seven year run for one of the city’s most recognizable taprooms. The announcement came as a surprise for many local beer fans, especially after the brewery had previously indicated plans to relocate. This week, Invictus shared that a move is no longer feasible due to rising costs across the board.
Why Invictus Brewing Decided to Shut Down
According to the brewery, the cost of real estate, ingredients, and supplies has grown significantly since they built their facility in 2018. That financial pressure made relocation unrealistic. When Invictus built their 110,000 square foot building on a two acre site, the economics looked very different. They purchased the land for just under three hundred thousand dollars. This summer, they sold it for 4.5 million.
That sale is tied directly to what’s happening around 105th Avenue. The land sits in one of Blaine’s most rapidly changing areas, directly across from the National Sports Center.
A Massive Redevelopment Plan Reshapes the Area
The site Invictus is leaving behind is part of a seven hundred fifty million dollar redevelopment led by Bader Management and Elevage Development Group. Current plans call for a large Scheels store expected to open in spring 2028, new sports complexes, apartments, a hotel, medical office space, and improved pedestrian connections throughout the district. The project is set to transform this part of Blaine into a major commercial and recreational hub.
The two acre Invictus site will not be demolished but incorporated into the broader redevelopment plan.
The Tipsy Steer Will Stay Open
The Tipsy Steer, which shares the building with Invictus, plans to remain. The restaurant has roughly twelve years left on its lease, and ownership expects operations to continue without disruption. For residents, that means there will still be a busy, local food option on site while developers determine the building’s long term use.
What This Means for Blaine and the North Metro
Invictus closing highlights the rapid shifts in commercial real estate across the Twin Cities suburbs. As land values rise and redevelopment accelerates, more local businesses are evaluating whether expansion or relocation makes sense.
For Blaine, this redevelopment brings new energy and long term growth. It also raises questions about what replaces a popular local brewery and how community spaces evolve as the area builds out.
If you’re watching the north metro for future growth opportunities or thinking about buying or selling in the Twin Cities area, I follow these trends daily and can help you make sense of what’s next.
