06/01/2022
Dear Buffalo Bill's family,
Today, the road I chose 33 years ago comes to an end, making way for the first road not taken. Sadly, Buffalo Bill's Brewery is officially closed until the next passing of the mash paddle of this historic and special place. Thank you all so much for the support over the years. It has been an incredible and wonderful journey. Over the past 33 years Buffalo Bill's has been my home, my family, and my dream.
In 1987, I walked into Buffalo Bill's and asked the owner and founder, Bill Owens for a job. He said that he had none, but if I wanted to clean tanks for free I could. After 3 months of cleaning tanks, I was hired as Brewer's Assistant working along side Bill for $7/hr. In 1994, I purchased Buffalo Bill's for $92k with a handful of credit cards and a loan from Bill. And in 2017, Buffalo Bill's was inducted into the Smithsonian American History Museum as the most historic brewpub in America.
Buffalo Bill's grew from 3 employees to 80, from 25 customers/day to 800, from renting to owning, from 1,800 sq ft to 12,000 sq ft, expanding from beer to spirits, and distribution to 46 states and back down again. I came close to bankruptcy several times, digging out with credit cards, refinancing my home and risking everything. But, I always found a way out and a way back on the path to success and preserving this very special place.
The memories will live on forever. Memories of hot tubing in the brewery mash tun, "slithering on our bellies like a reptile" at our hosted Chamber Mixers, epic employee Christmas parties and Orange Blossom Road Tours traveling the West Coast sampling the Buffalo Bill's beers to the tunes of Slightly Stoopid, and hundreds of stories in-between. It's all a story bigger than life, an amazing life and one I would change nothing. Buffalo Bill's was always about people. You shared your first dates, your last dates, your birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations of life with us... I will always treasure those memories and will always be grateful that you shared them with us.
I am honored to have met so many wonderful people, and especially honored to have known and worked with the 2,400 employees who came through the doors of Buffalo Bill's like I did and shared their passion for serving our community.
Today, the road I chose 33 years ago comes to an end, making way for the first road not taken.
May this wonderful space once again be filled with new energy, love, and spirit!
Cheers,
Geoff