The new owner of Black Button Distilling has laid off its entire staff, including its founder, as it moves to liquidate the distillery’s inventory.
Black Button announced in September its purchase by Blackstar, a nascent liquor firm run by Kris Comstock, formerly the brand manager for Buffalo Trace. At the time, Black Button had hit hard times — it had already closed its young taproom on University Avenue and was selling furniture to make ends meet.
At the time, founder Jason Barrett thought Blackstar was a breath of life into the distillery. It may have been the kiss of death…