Lancaster’s Main Street got a new place to hang out this week as The Craft Stand opened for business in a renovated century-old building in the heart of downtown.
Owners Don and Brandy Geraghty had their official opening at noon Thursday, with 24 Carolinas craft beers on tap, retail craft beer in bottles and a few original Craft Stand items such as pint glasses, koozies and T-shirts in signature black.
The business is located at 134 South Main in the old Emanuel’s Jewelers building, just across Gay Street from the old Bank of Lancaster.
Friends and supporters celebrated with the Geraghtys at a special soft opening Wednesday night. The event allowed the owners to thank those who contributed in some way to the realization of their dream as well as work out potential snags.
The Geraghtys stood behind the bar, relieved and grateful as they looked around the room filled with about 25 friends.
“It’s nice to see our friends and supporters enjoying the experience. We wanted to have them here tonight, because they will help us work through any glitches and won’t get mad if something is not just perfect,” Brandy Geraghty said with a wink.
Geraghty said the exposed brick wall is 114 years old. The couple’s kids helped paint the other walls.
“It feels like home,” she said.
All the craft beers are made in the Carolinas. The grand opening Thursday featured Lancaster’s own Benford Brewing Co.
Benford Brewing owner Brian O’Neal said he encouraged the Geraghtys to pursue their dream during conversations they had on Saturday mornings at Benford’s.
“I told them to go for their dream of opening The Craft Stand,” O’Neal said.
“If you don’t, someone else will and you will be so mad at yourself.”
O’Neal said this gives locals a chance to get a good craft beer without driving to Rock Hill or Charlotte.
“The clientele is definitely here,” he said.
O’Neal said he prefers tap rooms to bars and this offers a nice alternative.
“I don’t like being in a loud, blaring bar with 18 noisy TVs. I like going to a craft store to enjoy myself – not trying to pick anyone up, but just to enjoy a beer and talk to somebody,” O’Neal said.
O’Neal believes The Craft Stand may be the spark that downtown Lancaster needs to bring it to life. The Geraghtys, he said, are good people with the right personalities to make this work.
A trio of friends were gathered around the bar making their selections from the handwritten chalkboards hanging above the taps.
“It’s something we need in this town to revitalize it,” said Lancaster resident Glenda Warfield as she sipped on a Raspberry Wit.
“I’m sure Don and Brandy will do a great job,” she said.
Doug and Martha McClelland were enjoying an Old Mecklenburg Copper, which seemed to be one of the favorites.
Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce Chair Kristin Blanchard was there, showing her support for the new business.
“I wanted to support a unique new business that is opening,” Blanchard said.
“It’s wonderful that it is here, local and in the city of Lancaster.”
Joe Timmons and Grant Kyzer sat along the marble bar enjoying conversation and craft beer.
Timmons is the city’s events manager. He said he enjoyed the white mocha stout.
“The atmosphere and art work are beautiful,” Kyzer said.
Wells Fargo employees and craft beer connoisseurs Amy Ellis and Nikole Curran said they were there supporting local business and enjoying freshly crafted brew.
“As their bankers, we have been involved from the beginning, from concept to the reality of the opening,” Curran said.
Ellis had the Upstate Orange Wheat and Curran was sipping on a hefeweizen.
The Geraghtys’ friend and Rock Hill resident Jeanna Ray sat along the brick wall enjoying a beer as she surfed on her cell phone. Ray said she will be making the drive to Lancaster often to enjoy the atmosphere and to support the business.
Teachers Melissa Caughman and Rose Clawson, along with Melissa’s husband Richard, were sitting at a round table chatting and enjoying pizza that had been delivered.
“We’ve been supporting them since the beginning,” said Clawson.
Melissa’s art is on display along the wall next to Gay Street.
The teachers teach the Geraghtys’ children at North Elementary.
“It’s great to have a place to go,” said Clawson.
The most honest response came from Richard Caughman, who held up a half-full glass of honey-colored liquid and said, “I’m here for the beer.”John Gagliardi and Sean Roper were enjoying an animated conversation at a round table. Gagliardi owns Random Tap in Columbia, which is also a craft room or tap house.
“You have such a lovely downtown here, and this building has such character,” Roper said.
“It’s not a typical bar, which is too often what small towns get stuck with,” Gagliardi said.
Both said they would be back often to enjoy the view of the town and to support The Craft Stand.
Don ventured from behind the bar to mingle with friends and to chat. One such guest was Neil Gimon owner of Dream Chaser’s Brewery in Waxhaw.
“It’s been fantastic to see their dreams come together,” Gimon said.
Windy Hill apple cider is on hand for the gluten-intolerant. Non-alcholic Abita root beer is on tap. Peanuts and chips are available for 50 cents. Coca-Cola products are served. Patrons are encouraged to bring food in or have pizza delivered to The Craft Stand, since it doesn’t serve food.
After the event, Brandy Geraghty reflected on the night and looked forward to the official opening Thursday at noon. The hours are Monday through Thursday from noon until 9 and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.
“I’m excited Lancaster has shown us so much love,” she said.
The Craft Stand is pet friendly, but the Geraghtys ask that pet owners wait until Monday to bring their four-legged friends since the crowds the first few days might be an uncomfortable atmosphere for them.
8/26/16
Follow Reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN or contact her at (803) 283-1152
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