Although the state is allowing portions of our local hospitality industry to resume on-premise ops beginning Monday, May 18th, we at Able Ebenezer are opting to keep our bar closed. Don’t fret tho: We’ll still be offering beer to-go @ the brewery, as well as Direct beer delivery via our Distro Team (ableebenezer.com/order).
Instead, we’re taking this time to renovate the bar; a project we had slated for earlier this Spring, but had to delay amidst the shutdown. We’ll monitor the state’s phases as we progress, and announce a reopening date once we’re ready. In the meantime, we’ll continue driving on with our current rhythm: brewing, canning & bringing the beers.
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A little personal reflection: I want you to know our team here is forever grateful for your continued support - whether it began at our Grand Opening several years ago, or with your first Direct order mere weeks ago. It’s no secret this has been a challenging time for our entire industry, and you have kept us in the fight throughout.
Upon first hearing of the shutdown the afternoon of March 16th, I had no idea where we would be by the end of that month, let alone in May. The bar here was packed that night, filled with regulars wondering if it would be the last time. Several were in tears (which I, admittedly, don’t handle the best).
After sharing a beer and thanking everyone for their support, I drove home to pack a bag, then right back to the brewery. I lived here for the next 4 days.
Mentally, it’s tough not to focus on the imminent dangers ahead; when your mind keeps running the math on how long you might be able to keep paying yourself, your teammates, your bills, or your own rent. You imagine the tough conversations you’re likely going to have to endure, and all the things you’ll have to give up, and the very real possibility that you may have to sell off your dream - one piece at a time - to pay back your debtors. Furthermore, I knew my teammates were processing similar concerns in their own minds. It’s then you begin to triage everything, picking what can be dropped in the moment to delay facing those dangers. Note: Mike & I cancelled two things up front: 1) the production schedule, and 2) our paychecks.
But to survive, you have to shut those things out; refuse to accept them as possible, and force yourself to focus only on what you can control to influence the outcomes.
When challenges come at us, we have two choices; but my time in the Army taught me to really only see one. Thus, I refused to entertain defeat as an outcome. I didn’t have all the answers - not even close - but I would not quit until I did; there was no limit to what I was willing to endure to keep Able going. “Keep your heads up; we'll make it through to the other side, regardless of who or what gets in the way” I wrote to our team that evening.
Another note: I still don’t have all the answers - not even close - so we’re still getting after it everyday. Complacency & comfort are enemies in this ongoing fight.
In 48 hours, we had the beginnings of our Direct delivery service in place. Within just a couple weeks, we had processed hundreds of orders, created new jobs for our bar staff (as Distro Dispatchers; a role they’re maintaining today and likely beyond), and are back in full production. Some have called us “lucky",” but luck had nothing to do with it: this is the product of teamwork & effort.
I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of a team of people who rally, rather than run, in the face of a crisis. In short: we were built for this, and fully intend on making it to the other side; we’ll see you there, beer in hand.
The final piece - and most important - has been you, our customers. Without you, our team would be incomplete, and the battle surely lost. We’ll never forget it, and look forward to the day when we can pull our stools up to the bar once again, and reflect on this time together over a beer.
Until that day comes, keep your heads up and stay strong, safe & motivated. Cheers.
-Carl
