BrewRiver GastroPub needs you!


BrewRiver GastroPub and its owners, Joby Bowman and Michael Shields, have been serving guests in Cincinnati since 2012. Founded by Joby's Father, Art Bowman, along with Joby and Michael, BrewRiver is a true family business.  After Art passed away suddenly in 2014, Joby and Michael, along with Joby's siblings, have continued to create amazing food and beverage in his honor.

Over the 5.5 years they have been serving guests, they have won city "best of" awards; have received rave reviews from food critics and guests alike; have been featured in many magazines, blogs and articles; and have won the hearts of many devoted guests. BrewRiver was the first restaurant in Cincinnati to server only craft beer. They were the first gastro pub and they were the first to create an entire menu around craft beer. They have built a business based on passion and designed it to be a welcoming place to drink local craft beer, wine and cocktails while eating from a fully house-made menu.

BrewRiver has built a reputation for making everything from scratch. Catsup, bacon, gelato, soups, stocks, and dressings are made in house by Chef Michael and his talented cooks! They spend an entire day to make gumbo. Their stocks simmer over night and their organic chicken is brined for 24 hours in buttermilk. That is the type of time and passion they give to everything in their business.

It seemed as if a fairy tale ending was inevitable until a massive hill slide occurred in 2017 at the restaurant's location on Riverside Drive. 

http://local12.com/news/local/tavern-owner-wall-project-may-save-my-building-but-kill-my-business 

https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/east-end/hillside-above-riverside-drive-is-slipping-city-to-build-retaining-wall

http://www.wlwt.com/article/city-leaders-to-address-riverside-hillside-slippage-in-news-conference/8941914

BrewRiver had their best year in 2016 and was hoping to surpass those numbers in 2017. Unfortunately, something completely out of their control occurred when the City of Cincinnati's main water line, which feeds all of the Downtown area, and is located under the restaurant's hill side, started leaking and was in jeopardy of collapsing. The City called this a "catastrophic" hill slide situation and it took them only a couple weeks to hire a company and start tearing up the hillside on and around BrewRiver in order to save their water main. A massive concrete retaining wall with steel pylons was built to keep the hill from moving any further. BrewRiver's Chef Patio and gardens became city property during the construction. The road and parking around BrewRiver was congested by construction cranes and workers' vehicles. Most days during the 7 months of construction, traffic was constricted to one lane and BrewRiver's parking was reduced to nothing. The sidewalk leading up to the restaurant was completely blocked off for months. Guests could not access the restaurant easily. The project also made outdoor dining very unpleasant and sometimes downright miserable. BrewRiver is known for its outdoor dining and the summer and spring patio business is the cushion that keeps them in business during the winter months. 

Additionally, BrewRiver's building has suffered as well. The building moved 8 inches forward, causing many internal issues that have affected normal day to day business. BrewRiver has managed to continue to operate despite these hurdles and issues. 

As one can imagine, BrewRiver's business was hit very hard by the construction project. Their business has dropped an average of 20% since the project took place and during the months thereafter. BrewRiver is financed by Joby Bowman and her family. Joby mortgaged her house and has invested everything she has to keep the restaurant going during this period. Their insurance company denied them business interruption insurance and any coverage for building damage. because hill slides are not covered in commercial policies. Additionally, the City of Cincinnati has not offered any financial help. 

The difficult winter with frigid cold temps and snow fall has been hard for all businesses in the city, but especially hard for BrewRiver who is still trying to get back on their feet. Additionally, It has been announced that the retaining wall project is scheduled to start again just a few hundred feet to the East and West of BrewRiver. This project will take approximately a year and is certain to once again restrict traffic to the restaurant's location as well as cause the same noise, dirt and overall unpleasantness that is unavoidable with such a project.
BrewRiver has managed to keep business going thus far, but another project like this, will make it nearly impossible without some outside help. That is why we have turned to GoFundMe! 

https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/east-end/second-part-of-riverside-drive-landslide-project-starts-soon

BrewRiver has never asked for any outside financial help during its existence. They never dreamed they would have to do so, but they don't want to become another 'formerly in business' statistic. BrewRiver also has a responsibility to their staff, who are truly dedicated to the BrewRiver philosophy. Those staff members have sacrificed as well during the last year and yet have stayed on because of dedication and love of the restaurant and their guests. 

BrewRiver needs your help to survive the upcoming City of Cincinnati hill side project. So many incredible, local businesses have closed their doors lately and we hope that you have been touched by BrewRiver enough that you won't let them become one of those statistics. BrewRiver's goal is to continue dazzling guests, supporting local breweries and artisans, and making their guests happy!
The funds donated will be used to cover business expenses at our present location; to pay invoices that have become past due during the construction period; to cover payroll, building insurance, and to help us keep our doors open when our business will be subjected to decreased traffic once again. We also will be planning a strategy for the future and possible new locations. 

Any help you can give BrewRiver, is greatly appreciated. Time is of the essence with this campaign, as this capital needs to be raised over the next few weeks.  The party we are planning for our $500 donors, is tentatively scheduled for March 19th, as we want to show our appreciation as soon as we possibly can! BrewRiver is determined that they will  never sacrifice their quality of food and beverage, even during the difficult period discussed above. BrewRiver also has plans for growth, but none of that can happen without your help today. They have spent the last 5.5 years trying to build something special for the community and they hope that they have touched the hearts of that community.

BrewRiver doesn't take this plea for assistance lightly, thats why they have offered incentives to offset your generosity.  Their guests are the reason they love this business and the reason they are determined to rise above the problems that the hill slide created. This gesture of generosity will never be forgotten by Joby, Michael and family. They wish to thank you in advance from the bottom of their hearts!