Monks Meadery's Poncey-Highland taproom is temporarily out of commission after thieves ripped out copper piping in the building, puncturing a water line and unleashing hours of flooding into the ground-floor space, staff said.
The break went unnoticed long enough to soak insulation, furniture and sections of the ceiling, leaving crews to run dehumidifiers nonstop as they work to dry the taproom. Owners estimate the damage is in the tens of thousands of dollars and have filed an insurance claim while the space stays closed for repairs.
"Just covered in water. Water dripping everywhere," assistant manager Cassie Brown told Atlanta News First, describing the scene when staff arrived to find ceiling damage and soaked walls. Brown said pieces of ceiling had come down and that insulation in the walls and ceiling was affected, forcing the business to replace or professionally clean damaged furnishings.
Ownership has filed an insurance claim and estimates repairs will cost between $20,000 and $30,000, according to Atlanta News First. While the taproom remains closed, Monks Meadery hopes to roll out in-store pickup within a week or two and is still selling and shipping bottles online. Customers can order directly from the company's website, which lists the Poncey-Highland location at 579 North Highland Avenue NE.
Copper Thefts Pack an Outsized Punch
What happened at Monks is part of a broader pattern of copper thefts that has grown more damaging as metal prices climb. The Wall Street Journal has reported a nationwide surge in cable and wire thefts that has disrupted service for millions of people and cost telecom companies tens of millions of dollars. Industry groups are pushing for tougher tracking requirements and scrapyard rules to rein in the problem, and the telecom trade group NCTA has highlighted the scale of those disruptions.
What Customers Should Know
Brown said the neighborhood's response has been heartening and encouraged regulars to keep supporting the business however they can while professionals handle the cleanup. The meadery's online shop remains active for orders and shipping; check Monks Meadery's website for store hours, pickup details and reopening updates.
In the coming days, crews will continue dehumidifying the space and assessing structural repairs. Owners say they'll post timing for a full taproom reopening online. In the meantime, customers can call the taproom or use the website for the latest information on pickup and shipping.
