Charm City Meadworks’ taproom appears closed as it struggles with paying back rent, but a co-founder said the meadery is not going out of business.

The owner of its Johnston Square location, Travaju LLC of Baltimore County’s Phoenix, filed a civil action against Charm City Meadworks in September for failure to pay rent.

A ruling in favor of the landlord came down in December and, this month, a “warrant for restitution” was ordered. Such an order can be a green light for an eviction.

James Boicourt, who co-founded and is an owner of the meadery, said it was untrue that it was being evicted or going out of business. He said the company is working with its landlord and has announcements coming.

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Efforts to reach the attorney listed for Travaju were unsuccessful Sunday.

Although the beloved meadery’s website is still live, online ordering appears to be disabled. Facebook and Google Maps list the business as “permanently closed.”

A brown brench reads "BALTIMORE: The City That Meads"
Charm City Meadworks’ Johnston Square location was closed and quiet Sunday afternoon. (Daniel Zawodney/The Baltimore Banner)

On Sunday, just after noon, which the business’ phone directory lists as opening hour, the front door was locked and the lights turned off. The bar, tables and chairs, and red Charm City Meadworks T-shirts could be seen inside. An old bike with a flag that reads “Open” hitched to the back was tucked to the side next to the T-shirts.

Unlike a craft brewery, Charm City Meadworks makes meads, an ancient alcoholic brew fermented using honey.

Beyond the tussle with its landlord, the company also was dealing with federal and state tax liens last year, online court records show, signaling tenuous financial footing.

This article was updated after a Charm City Meadworks official contacted The Banner to explain the situation. An earlier version included what he said was incorrect information.