Is Stone Brewing's World Bistro in Escondido closing?
Yes. Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido closes Nov. 13, 2026. Founders Greg Koch and Steve Wagner are taking it back and plan to reopen it under a new name, independent of Stone, once a liquor license is approved.
- Last day
- Nov. 13
- Jobs affected
- 272
- Reopening
- TBD
- Address
- 1999 Citracado Pkwy.
2026, under current operators
WARN notices
Needs ABC license change
Escondido
The short version
- Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, 1999 Citracado Pkwy., Escondido, closes under its current operators on Nov. 13, 2026.
- Sapporo, which bought Stone in 2022 for about $165 million, filed WARN notices covering 272 employees at the site (CalMatters).
- Founders Greg Koch and Steve Wagner are taking over the restaurant and gardens and will reopen it as an independent restaurant under a new name.
- No reopening date is set; the change needs approval from California's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
- The Stone brand itself is going to Firestone Walker and Duvel Moortgat; the Escondido site was not part of that sale.
For many visitors, Stone's Escondido bistro and gardens were the reason to drive to North County for a beer. Its current operators close it on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. It isn't gone for good: Stone's original founders are taking the property back.
What happened
How it got here
- 01
2022: Sapporo buys Stone
The Japanese brewer paid about $165 million for Stone, including its Escondido and Liberty Station restaurants.
- 02
April 2026: the brand is sold
Sapporo announced a sale of the Stone brand to Firestone Walker and Duvel Moortgat. The Escondido brewery and bistro were left out of the deal.
- 03
Fall 2026: Escondido winds down
Sapporo filed state WARN notices for 272 employees, and much of Stone's beer production is moving to Paso Robles and Kansas City.
- 04
October 2026: founders step in
Greg Koch and Steve Wagner said they are taking over the restaurant and gardens and will run them as an independent restaurant. The city says most hospitality jobs will stay.
What changes
Before and after Nov. 13
| Until Nov. 13 | After reopening | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | New name, not yet final |
| Owner | Sapporo | Founders Koch and Wagner |
| Stone beer | Yes | Not announced |
| Brewery next door | Winding down | Future unresolved |
Until Nov. 13
- Name
- Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
- Owner
- Sapporo
- Stone beer
- Yes
- Brewery next door
- Winding down
After reopening
- Name
- New name, not yet final
- Owner
- Founders Koch and Wagner
- Stone beer
- Not announced
- Brewery next door
- Future unresolved
Stone's Liberty Station location in Point Loma isn't part of the Escondido closure. Firestone Walker founder David Walker has said it will keep operating under the Stone name, per SanDiegoVille. For other places to drink, see where to start with San Diego breweries.
Is this still right?
We last checked this tip against its sources on November 9, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.
Bars, restaurants and hotels change owners, hours, menus and even team loyalties faster than anyone can keep up. Call ahead or check the place's own website or social accounts before you go.
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.
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SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
SanDiegoVille · Oct. 14, 2026
Nov. 13 closure, founders' takeover, name options, ABC license, Liberty Station quote
CalMatters · Oct. 2026
272 WARN-notice layoffs, independent restaurant, city says most jobs kept, brand sale excluded Escondido
- NewsStone Brewing founders to reopen Escondido restaurant under a new name, independent of the brand
ABC 10News · Oct. 2026
Closes Nov. 13; reopening date not set; brand sold to Firestone Walker and Duvel