Broadsides & Brews is a vision plucked from my favorite memories, many of which stem from my childhood visits to New York City at Christmas time. Macy’s on 34th street has the most magical winter wonderland that leads directly to Santa himself! The magic of Christmas is based on the idea that believing is seeing and no place helps you see better than Macy’s, Herald Square! In the classic movie, Miracle on 34th Street, little Susan Walker is disappointed on Christmas day when she doesn’t receive the home she had asked Santa for, however (spoiler alert), when riding in the car, she does recognize the home of her dreams, she knows it’s the one she asked for, and her belief is confirmed when she finds Chris’, AKA, Santa’s, cane by the fireplace. Trains and Christmas also go hand-in-hand. Whether it’s under the tree, at the NY Botanical Gardens or the Polar Express, a toy you always wanted or a hobby you cherish forever, trains are magical too! I was lucky enough to have a Pop who believed in magic, and we had model trains in our basement all year long!
Last year at Christmas I made a wish. Just like Susan Walker, I wished that we would find the right home for Broadsides & Brews. When I made that wish, I asked for a sign, like a cane by the fireplace, so I would know for sure we had found our home. The past two years have been an emotional roller coaster of almost securing a space only to lose it for one reason or another, but I never stopped believing. This year, as summer eased into fall, we had the opportunity to look at a building to consider for Broadsides. It sits exactly where we wanted our home to be, so we went to see it. As soon as I crossed the threshold, I felt something, something new and exciting, yet strangely familiar. Something about the smell of the historic building reminded me of hours spent with my Pop in the basement of my historic childhood home, playing with the trains. It felt so right! We made our way down to the basement to check the foundation of this 100-year-old beauty. I was trying to stay calm and take everything in with the perspective of a business owner rather than the dreamer I am. The basement door opened, the light came on, and there it was, in the middle of the floor just inside the entrance, a model train set!
After nearly three years of searching, Broadsides & Brews has found a home! We will be opening our doors to share our dream with you in the spring. Happy Holidays, from our home to yours!
“Believe in what your heart is saying Hear the melody that's playing There's no time to waste There's so much to celebrate
Believe in what you feel inside And give your dreams the wings to fly You have everything you need If you just believe”
~Believe
