The Impossible Choice

We closed Bagby Beer Company completely on Monday, March 16th, until further notice. Like everyone we had been looking for answers, for direction, for some guidance or inspiration for what we should do. We have 50 employees. They have lives, kids, kids on the way, homes, cars, school to pay for, and so many other obligations. In almost every case, we are their only source of income. This decision was heart breaking for us, because we knew what it would mean – not just for our business, but for each and every one of them.

We had considered, and in fact were in the midst of forming plans, enacting an alternate service model, involving delivery and takeout. And then we were making selections about who, among us, would be here working, interacting with the public, exposed. Who would we put at risk? We knew that if we scheduled staff, they would be here. They would show up, and do their jobs, and do whatever they could, to keep the business and their income flowing. They would sacrifice their health. They would sacrifice the health of their families. They would do this if we asked them to. This felt wrong. And so it was at this point we decided to make the decision for them, to protect them and to do our part to protect the community. We wanted to take a stand, to stop in any way our contribution to the spread of this nasty thing. We were not mandated to close, but we decided anyway to do what we felt was the right thing.

As a business and as people these are not straight forward decisions. We have watched many of our friends and neighbors, near and far, choose to continue to operate. To struggle to eke out any semblance of a business, offering to go food and beer, wine, cocktails (!). To beg and plead the community to support them, to tip well, to think of the employees and their families. And all the while, they are risking their health, the health of their employees, the health of the community. And in doing so, in the absence of any offer of financial relief or assistance, they are unintentionally prolonging the impact of this, because no matter what, the risk of spread is not zero. We know it is nowhere near zero. The terrifying part is that there is no way to know who has been exposed until days or weeks after contact in some cases – what if staying open, even in a limited capacity with the prescribed “social distancing” isn’t just one more thing that allows this virus to continue to spread? Providing opportunities for people to be out, picking up food and beverages from restaurants, has to be part of the problem. It just does.

But as a culture we have been willing to accept this, because these folks NEED to stay open. Hear me now: it is not their fault. This is the unfathomably impossible decision facing all of us as business owners and as a community. We should never be asked to make this decision: save your business or save lives. Period. This entire conundrum is completely and entirely at the feet of our insurance companies, and since they so rarely do the right thing, it will invariably fall on our government. What if small businesses could close safely and without fear? What if owners could feel secure in knowing help is on the way? What if their people could go home and stay safe? Is there any doubt this would help slow or stop exposure, and therefore the spread, of this virus?

But – disgustingly – this has not happened. Not even close. Insurance companies are busy denying our claims of the Business Interruption coverage we pay for, citing a little known exemption for bacteria and viruses. It is not acceptable, and the lawsuits are already starting. We are calling on our State and Federal government to step in. In the absence of this insurance, we are desperate for funding. Refund the Payroll Tax we have already paid. Waive all Payroll Tax for the few employees we are able to keep paying. Offer immediate Payroll Tax credits for the health insurance we are struggling to continue to pay, so that once we open again – IF we are able to open again, there will be some lasting relief. Closing down a thriving business is costly, painful, unnatural. Staying open and putting our people and the community at risk is dangerous and immoral.

Governor, Senators, Reps, Leaders: Please do something. We are begging you to truly support small businesses for the long term so they can do the right thing and close in the short term, without fear of lasting damage to their legacy. So we are all able to reopen at some point, and we can all resume our many contributions to our culture and the economy.

You must do something now. Actual human lives and the lives of our businesses depend on it.

2020 Repost: Why We Won't Be Painting Over This

I just chatted with Robin last night (1/29/20) - she remains the purest ray of sunshine despite the intense and incredible grief she continues to live with. I told her how much she inspires me, and she humbly responded, “I don’t feel like an inspiration.” If you know her, you know she most definitely is. She inspires everyone she knows to live with grace, to spread love, to embrace the beauty wherever it can be found. This, she tells me, is Kenny’s way - “spreading love and happiness wherever he goes.” We continue to be grateful and humbled for this life-altering, humbling gift we received. Think of these two when you see a gorgeous sunset, are treated to a kindness or are inspired to be kind, when you are fortunate enough to still reach out and hug the ones that mean the most to you. Here’s to you, Robin and Kenny - today and all the days. Please read, if you haven’t yet heard of this story:

This blog was originally posted on our website January 30, 2014 - we were in the midst of construction at the time, and this blindsided us. This experience resonated with so many people, reminded us about the meaning of community, and galvanized who we are as people and as a business. It has been six years since then, and even still, not a day goes by that we don't think of Kenny, his inspiring wife Robin, and every single member of their loving family and extended group of kind and generous friends. Much love to each and every one of them, today and always. In the years since we opened, we have been contacted by countless guests, local and otherwise, who ask about Kenny and Robin, and inquire about the status of the wall. Most of them ask if it is still in place. It is, and it always will be. It remains our mission to keep Kenny's spirit and memory alive - please feel free to share far and wide to help us do that, and to embrace anyone currently battling.

1/30/2014: So, the Bagby Beer Company was vandalized over the weekend.  We came in to the brewery on Monday morning to this: As a fledgling business in Oceanside – one that in fact is still in the midst of construction, this immediately felt like a blow.  Our property, one we have been laboring over and painstakingly renovating over the past half of a year, not to mention dreaming about for the better part of a decade, had been defaced.  Someone scaled the fences, hid behind a newly-built wall, and added their ‘touch’ to what will be the maintenance area for the brewery we are installing, all while managing to elude the surveillance camera that runs just about 24/7. “This sucks”, we told ourselves. We thought about the work and the cost that would be needed to restore the wall to it’s previous state, what it meant that someone had so little regard for what we are trying to build.  We wondered: should we expect more such vandalism episodes? Was there more we hadn’t yet discovered? Did this mean we aren’t wanted or welcomed in Oceanside? We called the Police to report it.

And then we took a minute, stood outside of ourselves, and really read the piece.“Kenny - Cancer Can’t Kill Me”And we instantly realized: there is far, far more to this story, and we’d like to know what that is.  Why would someone express this message, in this way, in this spot? Who was Kenny?  Was he still battling? Had he already won or lost? Who were these people? Not unlike nearly everyone we know, we, too, have been devastatingly impacted by cancer – we have seen it destroy too many of our friends and loved ones over the years.  It was evident to us that this “graffiti” was bigger than us. It told a story to which we all can relate, and in its honesty and boldness, did what so few of us have had the courage or means to do – “Fuck Cancer” it says. Indeed. We couldn’t agree more. Here is where the story takes an astounding turn.

It was the next day, Tuesday – about 1:00. We were gearing up for our weekly construction meeting when I looked out the window of our on-site office, and noticed a few people looking through the construction fence, and attempting to photograph this tribute to Kenny – from about 60 feet away.  Without hesitation, I approached the trio.  I asked them if they knew the story behind the art, did they know Kenny or the artist.  Right away, instinctively, they denied knowing anything, that they had just heard about it, that they were just driving by…no way, I thought. I pressed them. I assured them that we weren’t interested in punishing whoever had done it, that we merely wanted to know the story, to find out more, to see if there isn’t an opportunity to prepare a tribute to Kenny that can be more permanent, more visible…and that’s when one of the women started crying. Her eyes welled up, and in a hushed and broken voice she uttered “he’s my husband”.  I was speechless. I asked if I could give her a hug, and then I did. We were all crying as she recounted the last several days with Kenny in ICU, battling his second round with cancer, how he had beat the disease once several years ago, how she believed he could do it again, but this time it is much worse.  She told me how he is suffering, how they have been together nearly two decades, how their dream of having a child was shattered by the course of his testicular cancer, how adoption wasn’t an option because it is too expensive (she’s a teacher and he, a surfboard shaper). I invited them to take a closer look and get a better view; they hugged one another, and cried, and took pictures together in front of the wall.And then she apologized. For defacing our property.  She explained that the artist felt badly, but he knew it was a construction site, and that maybe the impact to us would be minimized. She told me how when Kenny saw a picture of the piece, he broke down crying.  I was disarmed and forever transformed by her vulnerability and her honesty.  The feeling of “why us” was – in an instant – replaced with gratitude.  We are so grateful that we were given the opportunity to be touched by this incredible couple, to get to know their story, and to try – eventually – to find a proper, fitting, tribute to Kenny and his gallant battle with this annihilating disease. There is a chance Kenny will be released from the hospital this weekend – if so, we’ll be at the brewery, hoping he makes a visit in person on his way home. We’ll be thrilled to meet him, and tell him we are pulling for him, that as long as he wants, the mural shall remain. So, this is why we will not be painting over this, until we can figure out how to replace it with something else, forever.

UPDATE - 1.31.14: We were devastated to learn last night that Kenny had succumbed to his illness, surrounded by his gentle, loving, devoted wife, Robin, his extended family, and a massive group of friends.We were honored to host an incredible group of people today at the brewery, to remember Kenny. There were countless tears and the heart break was palpable - but there were also so many smiles, and laughter, and long embraces - just how Kenny would have wanted it.  Kenny's legacy is reflected in this collection of truly exceptional, humble, kind, generous, warm people.  Although we did not get the chance to meet him, we are beginning to get a sense of just who he was through this remarkable circle of his loved ones.  This is a huge loss for our community. We continue to be amazed at the impact Kenny's story is having on so many people. Thank you for allowing us to share it, and for being touched by his life.  

Give A Thing, Get A Thing

This idea has been knocking around in our brains for many months – there seems to be no shortage of folks who need help, and in our experience, there are so many of us who are able, in one way or another, to help - even in a small way. And, sometimes donating cash can feel a little impersonal, a little removed, a little less connected than we’d like. If you’re like us, you want to know that the cause we intended to help, is actually realizing the benefit in a tangible way.

We’re on a mission to find Causes or Organizations that need things. Actual, tangible things. Things that require we think about what someone’s needs are – in whatever circumstance they find themselves in. We’re believers in empathy. That when we empathize, when we genuinely put ourselves in another’s position and try to see the world from their view, it is then that we can do the most good.

And, as a company, we want to support this effort by being the hub of just this kind of energy, beyond the physical place to collect needed things that will go on to make a positive impact, we want to be a spot to connect with others that feel the same and that want to give back in this way. And we also want to offer a small treat to everyone who donates – a little token of thanks - for being a good person.

So, what’s the thing we give? It’ll depend. But, it’ll be worthy, we promise.

So, what’s the thing we get? It’ll depend. But, it’ll be good, we promise.

Help us find these causes! Do you know of or are you a part of an organization that needs actual, physical things, that kind folks can gather and then donate?

If so, please let us know about it here.

2018 REPOST: WHY WE WON'T BE PAINTING OVER THIS

View fullsize

This blog was originally posted on our website January 30, 2014 - we were in the midst of construction at the time, and this blindsided us. This experience resonated with so many people, reminded us about the meaning of community, and galvanized who we are as people and as a business.

It has been four years since then, and even still, not a day goes by that we don't think of Kenny, his inspiring wife Robin, and every single member of their loving family and extended group of kind and generous friends. Much love to each and every one of them, today and always.

In the years since we opened, we have been contacted by countless guests, local and otherwise, who ask about Kenny and Robin, and inquire about the status of the wall. Most of them ask if it is still in place. It is, and it always will be.

It remains our mission to keep Kenny's spirit and memory alive - please feel free to share far and wide to help us do that, and to embrace anyone currently battling.

1/30/2014:

So, the Bagby Beer Company was vandalized over the weekend.  We came in to the brewery on Monday morning to this:

As a fledgling business in Oceanside – one that in fact is still in the midst of construction, this immediately felt like a blow.  Our property, one we have been laboring over and painstakingly renovating over the past half of a year, not to mention dreaming about for the better part of a decade, had been defaced.  Someone scaled the fences, hid behind a newly-built wall, and added their ‘touch’ to what will be the maintenance area for the brewery we are installing, all while managing to elude the surveillance camera that runs just about 24/7. 

“This sucks”, we told ourselves. We thought about the work and the cost that would be needed to restore the wall to it’s previous state, what it meant that someone had so little regard for what we are trying to build.  We wondered: should we expect more such vandalism episodes? Was there more we hadn’t yet discovered? Did this mean we aren’t wanted or welcomed in Oceanside? We called the Police to report it.

And then we took a minute, stood outside of ourselves, and really read the piece.

“Kenny - Cancer Can’t Kill Me”
And we instantly realized: there is far, far more to this story, and we’d like to know what that is.  Why would someone express this message, in this way, in this spot? Who was Kenny?  Was he still battling? Had he already won or lost? Who were these people? Not unlike nearly everyone we know, we, too, have been devastatingly impacted by cancer – we have seen it destroy too many of our friends and loved ones over the years.  It was evident to us that this “graffiti” was bigger than us. It told a story to which we all can relate, and in its honesty and boldness, did what so few of us have had the courage or means to do – “Fuck Cancer” it says. Indeed. We couldn’t agree more. 

Here is where the story takes an astounding turn. It was the next day, Tuesday – about 1:00. We were gearing up for our weekly construction meeting when I looked out the window of our on-site office, and noticed a few people looking through the construction fence, and attempting to photograph this tribute to Kenny – from about 60 feet away.  Without hesitation, I approached the trio.  I asked them if they knew the story behind the art, did they know Kenny or the artist.  Right away, instinctively, they denied knowing anything, that they had just heard about it, that they were just driving by…no way, I thought. I pressed them. I assured them that we weren’t interested in punishing whoever had done it, that we merely wanted to know the story, to find out more, to see if there isn’t an opportunity to prepare a tribute to Kenny that can be more permanent, more visible…and that’s when one of the women started crying. Her eyes welled up, and in a hushed and broken voice she uttered “he’s my husband”.  I was speechless. I asked if I could give her a hug, and then I did. We were all crying as she recounted the last several days with Kenny in ICU, battling his second round with cancer, how he had beat the disease once several years ago, how she believed he could do it again, but this time it is much worse.  She told me how he is suffering, how they have been together nearly two decades, how their dream of having a child was shattered by the course of his testicular cancer, how adoption wasn’t an option because it is too expensive (she’s a teacher and he, a surfboard shaper). I invited them to take a closer look and get a better view; they hugged one another, and cried, and took pictures together in front of the wall.

And then she apologized. For defacing our property.  She explained that the artist felt badly, but he knew it was a construction site, and that maybe the impact to us would be minimized. She told me how when Kenny saw a picture of the piece, he broke down crying.  I was disarmed and forever transformed by her vulnerability and her honesty.  The feeling of “why us” was – in an instant – replaced with gratitude.  We are so grateful that we were given the opportunity to be touched by this incredible couple, to get to know their story, and to try – eventually – to find a proper, fitting, tribute to Kenny and his gallant battle with this annihilating disease.

There is a chance Kenny will be released from the hospital this weekend – if so, we’ll be at the brewery, hoping he makes a visit in person on his way home. We’ll be thrilled to meet him, and tell him we are pulling for him, that as long as he wants, the mural shall remain.

So, this is why we will not be painting over this, until we can figure out how to replace it with something else, forever.

View fullsize

UPDATE - 1.31.14:
We were devastated to learn last night that Kenny had succumbed to his illness, surrounded by his gentle, loving, devoted wife, Robin, his extended family, and a massive group of friends.

We were honored to host an incredible group of people today at the brewery, to remember Kenny. There were countless tears and the heart break was palpable - but there were also so many smiles, and laughter, and long embraces - just how Kenny would have wanted it.  Kenny's legacy is reflected in this collection of truly exceptional, humble, kind, generous, warm people.  Although we did not get the chance to meet him, we are beginning to get a sense of just who he was through this remarkable circle of his loved ones.  This is a huge loss for our community.

We continue to be amazed at the impact Kenny's story is having on so many people. Thank you for allowing us to share it, and for being touched by his life. 
 

Bagby Listed as Top Spot to Celebrate New Year's Eve

It's always nice to be recognized for our outstanding beverage program, centered around world-class, true-to-style beers! Our regular vistors and fans already know that we are dog- and kid-friendly, that we boast an ocean view patio and as many outdoor seats as inside!

Join us for a fun night out: New Year's Eve, or anytime. We'll be thrilled to have you!

Sonoma Pride American Pale Ale to aid Fire Victims

In an effort to help the thousands impacted by the wildfires in Sonoma and surrounding counties last month, friends of ours Natalie and Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing Company (Santa Rosa) called upon their comrades in brewing to create a special beer and donate the proceeds to a local nonprofit. Many have answered the call! All of the beers are named "Sonoma Pride", despite diversity of beer styles that each has created. Russian River currently brews and bottles a beer of this name, and has released their trademark on the name for this purpose - so far over $330,000 has been raised! 

Help us help others, by drinking and enjoying Sonoma Pride. The beer is hoppy and dry - so very drinkable at just 5.5% ABV. It's delicious and a great representation for such a worthy and important cause! Visit sonomapride.com for more info.