As Dave and Christine Jones were envisioning their new business, Lewes Brewing Co., they were hoping to create a gathering place for people to come together, sit and talk, much like the bar of television fame, Cheers. And in the few short months they have been in business, that has happened. Given the number of repeat customers they are seeing, they are pleased to see the response to the newest brewery in the area.
Dave’s first venture in owning a business came from a conversation he had with his father many years ago. His dad told him, “If you want a career that pays well and never runs out of customers, either be a mortician or fix cars.” Taking his dad’s advice, Dave started painting cars, which eventually led to Dave and Christine opening their own body shop repair business.
He and his future wife and business partner, Christine, met at their church on Christmas Eve in 1995. At that time, Christine was working solely in the information systems department for Perdue Farms in Salisbury, Md. Eventually Dave and Christine partnered in the auto body business. As it grew, he convinced Christine to leave her job with Perdue and come run the accounting side of the business on a full-time basis. That allowed Dave to focus on the body work and repair side of the business.
With two locations, one in Lewes and one in Dagsboro, things were going quite well when Hertrich offered to buy the business. The two thought it would be a great opportunity to retire early, so they ended up selling. But soon, they felt like they needed to be doing something more with their lives and talked about getting into another business.
Making beer at home had always been a hobby for Dave, and he really enjoyed experimenting with different flavors and tastes. Opening a craft brewery turned out to be the perfect business for the couple. Christine has been able to take her information systems and accounting background and run the back end of the business, while Dave is able to focus on the front end, with his interest in beer making and interior space aesthetics. When a property on Savannah Road became available, Lewes Brewing Company went from dream to reality.
They both learned from the collision repair business that customer service is the key to success. Whether repairing cars or pouring a beer, going the extra mile to make someone happy has always been their mantra. As Dave says, “If people have a good experience, they’ll not only be repeat customers, but they’ll also tell their friends and acquaintances about their good experience.” The other key to success in the business world, they learned, is offering a quality product. That means making sure when the customer walks through the door, they feel good about what they see and ultimately what they taste. As Christine noted, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
Finding the right people who would embrace the culture that Dave and Christine have worked to create has been a top priority. Another important aspect of developing the right work environment has involved creating a strong sense of teamwork, where no matter what someone’s primary job might be, everyone chips in to do what’s necessary. And Dave said that means sometimes he'll be the one cleaning tables or sweeping the floor, because that’s what needs to be done at that time. Fortunately, they have built a great team and give much credit to their hard-working employees for the success they are enjoying.
One of the features of the location in Lewes that most attracted Dave and Christine was its proximity to the bike path. In fact, during the warmer months, about 50% of their customers come via bicycle. As a result, the couple realized they couldn’t offer only beers that have a high alcohol content, as is often the case with many craft beers. While those kinds of beers are available, they also make sure to offer a wide selection of beers that are both refreshing and have a lower alcohol content. They want to make sure people can safely get back on their bike and be off to their next destination.
Growing up, neither Dave nor Christine ever envisioned themselves being in the auto collision business or the craft beer business. However, they both embrace the idea of taking a risk if the opportunity to own your own business comes along. If things don’t work out, you can always fall back and go to work for someone else. But they would never trade the satisfaction and sense of pride that comes with starting and operating your own successful business.
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This column provides an opportunity for readers to connect with the personal side of business leaders in area communities. Many of our local business owners and CEOs are thought leaders in their community, and they can provide valuable insights and ideas on issues of common interest to all of us. Successful businesses are essential for a healthy and growing society, especially as people continue to move to this area looking for employment opportunities. This column will highlight leaders who are not only successful, but also making a difference in our communities.
Jeffrey Fried has been an executive in the healthcare industry for over 40 years, including serving as the president/CEO of Beebe Medical Center for 24 years. After leaving Beebe Healthcare, Jeff started his own consulting and executive coaching company, and has coached executives in a variety of industries. In addition, Jeff has partnered with a company called Vistage, the oldest executive coaching company in the country, where he serves as a local chair on the Delmarva Peninsula and leads/supports a group of medium-sized business owners and CEOs. Jeff and his wife Sherry reside outside Lewes and between the two of them have three children and five grandchildren. Last but not least, they are the parents of two rescue dogs.
