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How Local Drinking Establishments Benefit Communities

Have you ever been interested in opening your own bar as a business start up? If so, it’s a fantastic idea, not just for your entrepreneurial aspirations, but for the community, too. Whether patrons go to have a good time with friends or just relax after a long day at work, drinking establishments offer the community a place to eat, drink, and let loose, but many bars, pubs, and breweries also go beyond being a place to have fun. Read on for some insights from Lemonsoda.

Establish Your Business

When alcohol is involved, starting your own business gets a little more complicated. Of course, you’ll need to start with the basics of choosing your business structure and registering with your state. But it’s best that you start by writing a business plan. While this may seem like an unnecessary step, it can help you to articulate what will set your establishment apart from the rest and how you will contribute to the community. This step will also force you to determine which licenses and permits you will need to open your doors.

If you want to use your bar or brewhouse to benefit your community, it’s also a great idea to take note of what established drinking establishments have done. Here are some great examples that you can learn from as you develop your own community outreach plan.

Local Events and Socialization

Great Raft Brewing hosts a Lager Jogger 5k and Beer Mile in Shreveport, LA. The runs begin at 8 a.m. and are usually held in early May. Runners start and end at the brewery, where they enjoy a few pints after the run. It’s great for the brewery because it brings in business, but it also offers people a way to meet new friends who also enjoy running and beer.

In 2017, Kansas City opened Bar K, a community-meeting place for people and dogs. The area will cover two acres and feature a fully-staffed dog park, as well as a bar and restaurant. Patrons and their pets will just need to find some dog-friendly public transportation so that they can drink responsibly. The bar and restaurant will feature craft beer, wine, and spirits from many of Kansas City’s local brewers, winemakers, and distillers, which will also help the local economy.

Establishments like Bar K are a great opportunity for people to socialize with other dog owners in the area. What’s more, having great establishments like this in your neighborhood can help increase the area’s walk score, which is something many home buyers look for when considering a property.

USA Today compiled a list of the top 10 cities to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the United States. They calculated this list using several factors and weights, dedicating 35 percent of the weight to bar accessibility. Why? Because drinking is a large part of St. Patrick’s Day, and having local bars available for parade attendees to grab a beer is important. The ability of bars to draw big crowds is crucial for these cities, as they see a large economic boost from St. Patrick’s Day. In fact, last year, Americans spent about $40 per person on St. Patrick's Day, according to The Shelf.

Environmental Impact, Local Charities, and Fundraisers

Some drinking establishments create environmental initiatives and help raise awareness for environmental causes. SweetWater Brewing Company in Atlanta, GA teamed up with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and the Waterkeeper Alliance more than 10 years ago to help protect the waterways by raising funds and awareness. They’re dedicated to stopping pollution and protecting everyone’s right to clean water. In addition to holding fundraisers, they created a special summertime Save Our Water campaign featuring a beer unique to the cause.

According to SweetWater, “Camp Twin Lakes is a nonprofit organization that offers year-round recreational, therapeutic, and educational programs for children and young adults facing serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges.” The camp serves more than 8,000 campers each year, and SweetWater sponsors and participates in the camp’s annual fundraising bike ride.

The brewery has also partnered with the Giving Kitchen in Atlanta by dedicating a portion of your funds to the organization and working with them on beer dinner fundraisers. Furthermore, the brewery donates a portion of proceeds from all of their pet gear to the Atlanta Humane Society.

Bar K helps raise awareness and money through its partnership with the American Heart Association and OneLife Fitness. The 5K run allows runners to participate in the run with their dogs, or they can leave the dogs with Bar K while they run. To further help their community, Bar K plans to have a regular speaker series featuring experts on pet-related issues, environmental issues, and other issues that are important to their community.

Make Your Own Community Impact

Bars, pubs, breweries, and restaurants have many ways they help their local communities. Ask your local drinking establishment how they’re involved and see if you can join them in their cause. Even if you buy a drink, you’re helping to keep them around for years to come, so they can continue to positively impact their communities. Or, if you choose to start your own bar or brewpub, find your own way to spearhead a local cause!

Lemonsoda offers affordable, stylish, and high-quality glassware that never compromises on quality and style. Contact us today to learn more! support@lemonsoda.com