Sequoia Brewing Company, closed since February, may soon reopen under a new group. Photo by Ben Hensley

There appears to be a second act in the works for Sequoia Brewing, a Fresno landmark that closed back in February.

The details of a pending liquor license transfer by the state Alcoholic Beverage Control, first reported Tuesday by GVWire, reveal a group including several Fresno business leaders preparing to reopen the businesses.

A liquor license transfer is pending for the locations at 777 E. Olive Ave. in the Tower District and 1188 E. Champlain Dr. in North Fresno. The former owner was J&A Mash & Barrel, LLC.

The license in Visalia isn’t being transferred, according to ABC records.

The ownership group, under the name Second Growth Brewing, LLC, includes Fresno Chamber CEO Scott Miller, businessman William Avakian, Lany Avakian, attorneys Joseph Doerr and Ian Wieland and Will Oliver, CEO of the Fresno County Economic Development Corp., according to ABC and Secretary of State business records.

Sequoia Brewing Company has been a staple in the Central Valley since 2000, when it acquired local favorite Butterfield Brewing.

Longtime owners Scott and Michelle Kendall sold the business to Jeremy and Allison Smith (J&A Mash & Barrel, LLC) in 2020. Social media posts and even lawsuits filed by former employees include allegations of mismanagement.