| People talk about this term “community” all the time. Sometimes they are referring to the physical area they live in–the Blackman Community in Murfreesboro for example. Other times they are referring to a social structure of some sort they belong to–the Rotary Community, the MTSU Community, etc. Sometimes it is a bit more abstract and they are seeking to build a group where people can belong or an environment where they can belong–churches seek to “build community.” All of these are worthwhile and noble causes for sure. This past weekend, I was reminded why I and my partners started Cedar Glade Brews. Yes, eventually we want to turn a profit and make it a financial success. But more than that, we opened it to build community and to support our community and to have a community that we can foster–all three of the things listed above. We support the community by participating in all kinds of events and by giving to causes we see as worthy. We seek to build community within our 4 walls and without as well. Now that we are established, we are seeing that we also HAVE a community that calls our place home. This weekend crystalized this thought. We had a couple of great events that directly supported our vision for community. First, we had a clean comedy show. Yes, clean. You could, in fact bring kids to it. Now, was all the subject matter G-rated, no. But it would barely have gotten a PG-13 rating for a movie. It was clean, funny and the community showed up. It was packed. Second, we had our 2nd annual Mardi Gras party right after hosting a wedding shower. It was so cool to see people celebrating and having a great time. We had TN Craft Butcher there. We had a couple of psychics there and we had a great band–that put themselves together for the first time for this show. We also had King Cake from my Aunt Jo and a beer that was a collaboration with her King Cake IN it. Trent from Spread the Positive was there shooting content. Polly from the Chamber was gathering community content. It was truly a community affair. Why is this important? Throughout the day I had people stop me and thank me and the CGB team for building this community. They would tell me that it is warm, inviting, comfortable and instantly a place they knew they could just be- however they are. That is perhaps the best feedback I could possibly hope for. I want to have a place you can just come in. Show up. Drink or don’t drink. Just be. And it seems like we have achieved that– or at least are achieving it. And, it seems our community wants it. People belong. They have embraced us and we have embraced them. People make lasting friendships there. People confide in the Beer Guides. It’s pretty cool. They show up happy, sad, fired up, fired from their jobs, celebrating a new job, however they are. Come join us sometime. |
