With a few exceptions 2002 Richmond Virginia was a beer desert. A couple good local microbreweries and a small tap house were all that was offered to the many beer enthusiasts that reside here. In May of that year Matt Simmons, General Manager of the Legend Brewing Company Pub, noticed a “for lease” sign in the window at 623 East Main Street. After inspecting the building he reported the find to his other beer enthusiast friends Mike and Linda Jones and Chris Holder the later of whom also managed the Legend Pub.