Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ben Demoss. Ben was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Michelle Castro-Martha.
Ben, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started up my business like most in this industry, brewing beer in my garage with my father as a hobby. Then ventured off in the cold brew coffee business that didn’t work out due to opening it while the concept was still too new. Ventured back into the idea of opening a brewery in my own community but then realized a “Tap House” is a better concept for the community since there isn’t another bar in the zip code. Because of that HoppyDaze and our team has been very open to all ideas since we are the few options for entertainment in the area. We have collaborated with many vendors such as @msbakedgoods, Will from @INKPAINT did all our murals, entertainers from Trivia night on Wednesdays, paint night with @artehastalamuerte to comedy night every other Friday, live music on Saturdays and then transition into a sports bar when needed. The pandemic Has really thought us how to be more open minded and listen to our customers. As also mentioned in https://commonsalt.org/2020/07/09/hoppy-daze-sets-new-standards-for-customer-safety/
Please tell us more about your brand, Hoppy Daze tap house
We are proud to be from the community (just a few blocks away) born and raised and understand what our community needs. We are proud to what most have thought would have never worked in the area, see it succeed and the big part of it is because the owners and staff our from the nearby neighborhood. Our family environment and support from the neighborhood will always set us apart. The experience and not just the product also sets us apart. For many years a tap house was just a copy a past type of business for many. I believe Hoppy Daze has changed the concept in the only 3 years we’ve been open. We have proven a Tap House doesn’t have to be a speak easy place all of the time & now many are following the trend which is a big compliment to us newbies.
Michelle Castro-Martha and M squared baked goods have been great to us and I know you’ve got a great relationship with them as well. Maybe you can tell our audience a bit about Michelle and M squared baked goods and your experience with them.
It first started as Michelle from Msbakedgoods and her husband (a local teacher) would frequent the bar. Getting to know that she ran a bakery in the same community spark interest. Our first time working together was a pop up event. She brought a booth and her pastries sold out. Who would have thought that cookies and beers pair up great? Since then we’ve had them on our counter and sell them on the daily. Since her pastries are geared more for parties and coffee shops, we’ve both had fun coming up with new ideas on the flavors/design for cookies that would pair up with beer. I also admire her passion and work ethic and it been great seeing eachothers business grow at the same time. (Don’t tell her that since we give eachother a hard time) The community has been very responsive on the partnership and supports everyone that we support, for example a new coffee shop “Feliz” just opened in the same plaza. Another local from the area opened and we both have supported Since day one. Felipe’s (Feliz) business only maybe 4 months old hit the grown running. For valentine day we will have a collaboration between the 3 businesses for a gift box.
Instagram: Hoppydazesd
Facebook: Hoppy Daze, Hoppy Daze Tap house
Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/hoppy-daze-tap-house-san-diego
Other: Podcast https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-dhumy-fcdc4e https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/north-county/sd-no-bowling-to-brewpub-20190220-story.html?_amp=true
Image Credits:
@kikiprodutions
