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Champion Brewing Company, a Charlottesville-based brewery, is opening a brewpub in downtown Richmond, in the former Aurora space at 401 E. Grace St.

For the pub portion of the new spot, Champion is partnering with chef Jason Alley and Michele Jones of Pasture and Comfort restaurants, according to a news release.

Alley and Jones will do Sur Taco and Sandwich, which will focus on Southern-influenced tacos and tortas.

Champion, which opened in Charlottesville in 2012, will provide the beer - both brews from their Charlottesville operation and ones brewed on-site in the new space.

The brewpub is expected to open by the end of the year.

‘"The Richmond market has been very supportive of our beers, particularly our experimental brews, since day one. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Jason and Michele and to produce exciting new beers alongside so many great brewers in Richmond," Champion’s President and Head Brewer Hunter Smith wrote in the news release.

Aurora - a coffee shop / bakery / restaurant turned weekend-only nightclub - closed sometime in 2013 and the space has been mostly vacant ever since.