Scouting

Hi there and welcome back!  Sorry for the long delay.  Bet you're wondering what's been going on, eh?  Scouting.  Lots of scouting.  I can't honestly say it's a 24h endeavor, but it is the number one priority right now. Get the location, customize the business plan to the location, attract the investors/loans, put a down-payment on a brew system, and before you know it...  Mind you, getting approval from the Feds to make alcohol will take some time (and they want to know where you are going to be - again, location), and even to get a new brew system will take weeks, if not months (one manufacturer quoted me 24 weeks!), so throw in "finding a landlord who is flexible on the terms of the lease" into the equation of the search for the perfect spot.  Oy!  Makes me very envious of start-ups that can get going in the basement and then expand.  Not the case here.

One thing that I have really set on is that the location has got to be kick ass!  There is a ton of strip-mall space available, and for a lot of restaurants this is perfect, but I don't think we want to go there.  I just hope that we don't have to build from scratch!  I don't mind starting a little smaller than planned, but location, location, location!

If you know of a space that needs a new tenant, do share!

Rob

Prologue

So Chapter 2 officially starts in 2 days, but for the sake of getting something out there, I'm starting early. A little background is probably in order.

About 9 months ago (hey how's that for coincidence?), Lisa and I made an agreement that I would leave my day job and pursue a dream - that is opening a brewpub (i.e. a restaurant that also brews its own beer on site). The exact moment of this life changing decision was aboard a Southwest Airlines flight en route to San Diego (hands down one of the world's best beer towns) to attend the National Homebrewers Conference, something we've done now for 3 years straight. The thinking was:

   1) I have a passion for food and beer
   2) I do NOT have a passion for my day job
   3) we are extremely fortunate to have put some money aside and can live off 1 "real" income, for a while, and
   4) crazier plans have come to be. 

So we were going to enjoy Southern California and the Conference, then head home before I was off for a service project with my company, let's call it "T", and then the 2-week notice was going to be given. It was a good Saturday!

Monday morning, let's call her "J", called...

J:  "Hi Rob - it's J"

Me:  Long awkward pause on the line to think of a woman named "J" who would call me call me on my cell phone, until it finally dawned on me that this was my BOSS - J. "Oh, Hi J!"

J:  "Rob I really apologize for calling you on your vacation, but I wanted to make sure you heard the news from me. It was just announced that T has agreed to be acquired by "V", parent company of "X", "Y", "Z", etc... I don't have a lot more information to share with you right now, but we'll catch up when you get back. Have a great vacation!"

Hmmmm..... well this could make things interesting!

So fast forward to today. The acquisition did go through, T's stock is no more, and my department (who's responsibility included ensuring that T's ticket symbol could be listed on the NYSE) is essentially being liquidated, as these things tend to go. A lot of great people have already left, some have been offered transfers out of New Hampshire, many have stuck it out for the end of March, and a lot of other great people are on the chopping block in the next few months. I truly feel for those people who STILL DON'T KNOW their fate. For those of us who were pinked-slip, at least we knew what the deal was back last fall and could make a choice that was right for each one of us. After discussing options with Lisa, the decision was relatively easy - stick it out till March. So here we are!

I had to name the blog something, and "Chapter 2" were the two words that immediately came to mind. It's been 10 years since I earned an MBA, and 17 years (yikes!) since graduation from college, and I'm FINALLY doing something for work that I TRULY have a passion for. Hey I've always been a late-bloomer! So I'm calling "Chapter 1" my life in the cubicle/corporate world, "Chapter 2" is the brewpub, and "Chapter 3" is a long, healthy, and happy retirement. But this blog is all about the brewpub.

So what about the brewpub? Well... we have a name - Great North Brewing Company. Where? Well... somewhere in New Hampshire. It all depends on the specific location. The concept? The type of joint that you can enjoy a variety of styles of beer made on-site, plus outstanding local breweries from across the region, all paired with delicious, authentic food. Simple, right?

Well no, not exactly. I'm under no illusions about how long this project will take to get off the ground. Little pesky things like ensuring that the right team is assembled, enough capital is raised, and oh, I did I mention location? Plus a million other decisions. But like I said earlier, I have a passion for this and crazier plans have been hatched.

I hope you'll follow along and stay posted. Wish us luck!

Rob

P.S. Sorry for the long post - I'm guessing this will be an exception.