BRB News:Bathtub Row is brewing up community in Los Alamos with the grand opening of the town’s first craft brewery.
Three years ago, a collective vision by community members to create an atmosphere similar to a neighborhood English pub has transformed into a full-fledged cooperative –– only the fourth such co-op in the nation.
Grand opening festivities will commence with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon Friday, May 29, and continue that evening with music, food and new beer releases. Celebration activities will continue 3-9 p.m. Saturday, May 30.
The idea to align the business with cooperative principles proved to be an innovation among the craft beer industry. As a democratically run, member-owned and operated cooperative, Bathtub Row Brewing is tightly focused on the Los Alamos community and to running the business in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner.
Among the principles stated on their website, they aim to educate the public about the art and science of brewing. However, since only three other breweries were structured as a co-op, the founding members had little to go on. That’s where the Regional Development Corporation stepped in to help.
“We stumbled upon Val Alonzo and the business assistance service program operated by the RDC via a newly opened brewery in Santa Fe when we were in the planning stages,” explained Micheline Devaurs, president, board of directors. “Val helped us navigate potential funding options, the necessary permitting and many other aspects of getting a business open and operational. Being able to talk with someone face-to-face is incredibly valuable.”
Bathtub Row Brewing is operating by the triple-bottom-line principle: people, planet and profit. The unusual cooperative business model upon which the business is built emphasizes building community and promoting its well-being. It also reflects the priorities of its member-owners. At launch time, Bathtub Row Brewing will have close to 500 member-investors already. The co-op is accepting more members at their website, www.bathtubrowbrewing.coop.
“Our business expansion and retention program really wanted to help see this gathering place come to fruition for the community of Los Alamos,” said Kathy Keith, executive director of the Regional Development Corporation (RDC). “We want to thank Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Security and Los Alamos County for their financial support for the business retention and expansion program which helps local businesses start and grow. Bathtub Row Brewing’s cooperative model is centered around sustainability, and it’s a model other communities in northern New Mexico can adapt for their own uses.”
Bathtub Row Brewing plans to continue with regular live music and new beer releases after the grand opening weekend May 29-30. The public is invited to attend all events on grand opening weekend at Bathtub Row’s location, 163 Central Park Square in Los Alamos.
About Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op
Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op is Los Alamos’ first craft brewery and only the fourth in the country structured as a member cooperative. Closely aligned with the cooperative business model, Bathtub Row is a democratically run, member-owned and operated community gathering place seeking to support and promote the local craft beer industry. Learn more at www.bathtubrowbrewing.coop.
About the Regional Development Corporation (RDC)
The Regional Development Corporation is a non-profit economic development organization based in Española, New Mexico with a mission of creating jobs and attracting additional revenue to the northern New Mexico region. Visit www.rdcnm.org.
