One of the largest private fermented beverage manufacturers in North America, FedUp Foods, on Monday announced an expansion into Wilmington using the facility formerly occupied by Tru Colors Brewing.
 
Sarah Mullins and Jeannine Buscher founded FedUp Foods in Asheville after making kombucha together for their children. Now, FedUp Foods manufactures kombucha, pre- and probiotic sodas, Tepache and functional cold brew coffee, according to the company’s announcement. The Wilmington location at 715 Greenfield St. is the company’s third facility on the East Coast — its other locations are in Marshall and Erwin, Tennessee.

FedUp Foods officials are planning to open the facility in late summer, the announcement states. They plan to hire up to 100 employees for on-site positions at the Greenfield Street site over time, according to Wilmington Chamber of Commerce chief marketing and engagement officer Megan Mullins. 

While the company only manufactures beverages now, officials plan to use the Wilmington facility, slated to be its largest, to expand into foods, said Executive VP of Strategy Zane Adams in an announcement video by FedUp Foods. The move also facilitates the company's expansion into cold brew coffee, according to reporting from Food Navigator USA. The Wilmington facility is expected to produce more than 200,000 barrels of product a year, according to the report. 
 
An entity managed by Tru Colors founder George Taylor, Spark715 LLC, is listed as the owner of the 130,680-square-foot property in state and county records. The building has remained vacant since the brewery shuttered in 2022.
 
“We're excited to grow and carry our mission forward in this next phase of our journey with the city of Wilmington,” FedUp Foods CEO David Gray said in the announcement. “We, as industry leaders, are committed partners in meeting the rising demand for high-quality, good-for-you beverages at an accessible price point, while also contributing positively to the communities and environment that make our business possible.”
 
Gray and the FedUp Foods team chose to expand into Wilmington because of its proximity to the port and rail, according to the announcement. The deal was facilitated by Wilmington Business Development and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, FedUp officials stated.
 
“As we extend our roots into Wilmington, NC, our aim is to offer job advancement and opportunities for the local workforce,” Mullins, now the VP for People and Purpose said in the announcement.

Neither Taylor nor FedUp Foods officials immediately responded to requests for comment.