BURRILLVILLE – The support for a small business in town flowed like the beer at Bravo Brewing Company’s grand reopening last Friday night in Pascoag. Several hundred people stopped in or stayed a while, said owner Chris Mishoe.
“I’m blown away by the amount of support for our grand opening,” he said.
Mishoe was working the crowded bar with Chris DiChiara a “longtime friend who has been a server at the bar since day one,” and Jami Gilly, “my girlfriend and taproom manager extraordinaire,” he said.
“The support and turnout is overwhelming,” said Gilly. The taproom manager said that over the course of the evening she “stood back a few times and looked out, amazed at the amount of support.”
The outpouring of goodwill for Mishoe and Gilly and Bravo Brewing Company was as strong as the brews.
“I’m glad to see the them reopening,” said Scott Disnard of Harrisville.
“Everyone comes out to support locals, and that’s a beautiful thing,” said Disnard. “Chris and his team do a really good job.”
Disnard was accompanied by his four year old Chihuahua Dachshund mix dog, known as a Chiweenie. “He’s the man” said Disnard as he cradled his tiny pal named Carter in his arms.
Close by in the taproom was a dog much larger than Carter.
The German short-haired pointer dog is named Guinness, “like the beer,” said Zach Taranto of Woonsocket, who was enjoying the evening with his furry friend and with his girlfriend, Misty Baker of Burrillville.
Three year old Guiness appeared patient in the room full of noise and motion, and he even had a seat at the table for the trio’s photo.
“I think it’s great they were able to get everything fixed. It’s great for the town, and it’s a great turnout. I’m happy for them,” said Taranto.
Other patrons partaking in the Friday evening celebrating included a Chepachet couple.
“It’s great they’ve got community support. It shows how much people love the brewery,” said Chris Hopkins. He and girlfriend Devan Newton had a prime spot seated at the busy bar. “Chris and Jamie have got the support, and they do a good job running this place, and at having great beer.”
Two women from Chepachet seated at a table next to a window into the taproom filled with large, silvery machines were among the crowd.
“This is my first time in here. It’s a wonderful establishment, really brightens up Pascoag,” said Jo-Ann Jalette.
“I’m just so happy there are so many people here to support their grand reopening, proving this is exactly what downtown Pascoag needs,” said Jalette’s friend, Mary Charland.
Bravo Brewing “had a lot of support through the disaster,” said Mishoe referring to the incident that closed the brewery in December, when a burst sprinkler line caused extensive damage to the building at 75 Pascoag Main St.
People came out on the chilly last night of February in support of getting the establishment back on track, Mishoe said. Rallying by the town and community members was “outstanding,” he said, noting that local businesses “also supported us when we were down.”
Burrillville brothers and musicians Jesse and Ed Desourcy of the band Back Rhodes donated their time on Friday, providing music for the opening, said Mishoe. The cool sounds of the musicians warmed up the frigid night. Singer Jesse said he found the evening an “amazing” experience and that it was “an absolute thrill [Bravo is] opening back up.”
Ed noted that everyone came out to celebrate Bravo’s reemergence.
The business “made a huge impact on the town when they moved in, a positive impact,” he said. “It’s a place for people to gather, and not just another bar, but a place where patrons can hang out on the patio.”
The dollars they spend flow “back into the town,” he said.
Another musically-oriented man, Vladimir Lessage, known locally as DJ WiseVlad, came out to celebrate the reopening. “I’m very excited to be here and to see the community rally for a small business.”
As the spirits moved them, customers could spend at another small business by grabbing a bite to eat right out at the front door at The Sticks Pizza Co. food truck, which Mishoe described as “our primary food service provider for the taproom.”
“It was good to see people we didn’t know, and those we know and hadn’t seen in a long time,” said Gilly of the grand reopening.
Also celebrating that night was a group of friends.
“We’re so happy it’s open,” said Kelly Thurber of Woonsocket.
“It’s like being at Cheers,” said Tonya Lemme who is a server at the bar.
“Everyone knows your name,” chimed in Nate Lavigne of Cranston, alluding to the lyrics of the theme song of the famous TV sitcom, set in a friendly Boston bar. In Pascoag, Lavigne, Thurber, and Lemme seemed to be enjoying their celebration at their table with other friends Jennifer Wilson of Cranston and David Valentin of Pawtucket.
“We were out of place for two months,” said Lavigne of that time period when Bravo was closed. “We’re mug club members. We get a bigger glass, and a nice commemorative coin for our yearly membership,” he said.
The group of friends aren’t the only people glad Bravo Brewing Company has reopened.
“It’s good to be back,” said Mishoe.
