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This week, on Tuesday December 2nd,
a popular business in Lincoln celebrated its 10-year anniversary
with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Spirited Republic, a micro-brew bar,
opened 10 years ago, selling products that were made by owners Bussy
Roate and Troy Hanger. Before moving into a brick and mortar, the
pair had worked to perfect some of their brews from a small brewery
set up in the garage of their home.
Over the span of a few years, the pair, plus Colleen, came to the
conclusion that this was a talent they wanted to share more
completely with the community via a new business in the heart of the
city.
Spirited is located at 509 Pulaski Street, in a building that is
owned by the Guzzardo family. Colleen, in an interview prior to the
cut, said that this is the one and only location where the sexiness
started and plans to continue on. She said that the Guzzardo’s were
great landlords and also great friends who were delighted to
incorporate the craft beers into their own offerings along with Jon
and Lisa Mestinsek of Top Hat Creamery.
Colleen said it was a great combo. Guzzardo’s restaurant has always
been a “bring your own” establishment when it came to alcohol
products. Spirited did not have kitchen capacity but she noted that
what could go better with beer than pizza, and of course, ice cream
for dessert makes the evening complete. With that vision, the three
businesses formed the “Trifecta” that today is very much second
nature to the patrons of all three businesses.
Some may wonder where the name of the business comes from and
Colleen says that in reality, they stole the name. She explained
that there was at one time an exhibit at the National Archives in
Washington D.C. called “The Spirited Republic.” They like the name,
so they decided to “borrow” it for their business in Lincoln. Some
may recall in a recent Saturday Spotlight story with Spirited and
Limerick, LDN’s reporter Matt Boutcher asked the same question about
Limerick, and he got a somewhat similar answer. When looking for a
name for the companion brewery, everything they came up with was
already taken. Then they had the idea to look at Logan County
history and asked the Logan County Genealogical & Historical Society
if there had ever been a brewery in our community. It turned out
that there had been back in the mid-1800’s a brewery called
Limerick.
Which by the way, Limerick came about
two years after the original Spirited Republic. Roate said that the
original idea had been to incorporate the brewery into the existing
space, but that was not going to work out because it would take away
space from customers. However at that time Guzzardo’s had the back
building across the breeze way from their restaurant empty and it
proved to be the best spot for the new brewery.
Then, during Covid, everything had to shut down, and for the Roates
and Hanger that meant it was a good time to do something. The
business was popular, and expansion was something the team felt the
community would support. But where would they go? Guzzardo owns
several buildings on Pulaski Street, including the buildings on
either side of the Arcade. Corey Leonard had his insurance office
next door to Spirited, but on the far side of the breezeway
Guzzardo’s had another space that was vacant. Roate said it was
amazing. Leonard had been in the same location for 17 years, but
when the Roates and Hanger approached him with a request to move so
they could have the space next door for an expansion, Leonard was
happy to oblige.
So the expansion started during the Covid shut down. In the original
building some changes were made as well, including elongating the
bar area.
Roate said that, in itself, was a challenge because things were
topsy-turvey during Covid, they had been shut down, they started the
interior renovations, then suddenly they were permitted to open,
which obviously they needed to do, so the next thing they knew they
were serving customers in a construction zone.
Colleen said the best part of their personal Covid story was that
neither she and Bussy nor Hanger were counting on the bar for
financial survival on a personal level. Both Troy and Bussy had
careers and Spirited was something extra. That prompted the question
then is spirited the dream or bucket list career? Bussy, who had
come in during the interview quipped “Depends on what day it is.”
Indeed, the Roates say that the business has its ups and downs but
it has all been worth it.
On Tuesday evening, the popularity of the local bar was evident in
the number of people who came in for the ribbon cut, and the
friends-to-family relationship that was evident between the owners
and their patrons.
To that end, when it was time to gather together for the ribbon cut,
Hanger and the Roates insisted that all their staff, family, and all
their patrons join them behind the ribbon, leaving only a handful of
people gathering in front of the group to actually witness the cut.
Among the people behind the ribbon
were Bussy & Colleen Roate, Troy Hanger, Jan Gleason, Lincoln Mayor
Tracy Welch, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Lincoln City Clerk Peggy
Bateman, City Treasurer Chuck Conzo, City Fire Chief Ty Johnson,
Logan County royalty Miss Logan County Fair Julia Collins, Junior
Miss Courtney Cecil, and Little Miss Vayda Farmer. Others behind the
ribbon included Spirited staff and the many patrons who had come to
celebrate with the owners.
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The first person to address the crowd
was Mayor Tracy Welch. Welch began by saying that the Roates and
Hanger were like family to him and to many other people in the
community. He said that the business was a fine example of what
happens when people have a passion for what they are doing. He also
commented on the trifecta relationship between Guzzardo’s, Top Hat
and Spirited saying that it had worked out well for all three
businesses and very well for the community.
He wished the owners the best of luck and noted that he saw the
business as being a part of the community for many years to come.
Alderman Kevin Bateman spoke noting
that the downtown area was in his ward and as such, he has attended
a lot of ribbon cuts over the years. He said that what he saw as
notable was that within the heart of Lincoln, the locations were not
just businesses they were destinations. He noted that working out of
town he hears people talk about coming to Lincoln and visiting the
great downtown destinations like Spirited Republic.
After Bateman spoke it was also remembered that former Illinois
Governor Bruce Rauner was known to slip into Spirited and enjoy time
as a "regular person" there to enjoy his favorite brew and the
company of good friends.
Speaking on behalf of the owners Bussy
Roate said that this week he had given a lot of thought to the
journey they have made, and he had realized how much had changed
over the last ten years, but how that somehow it really hadn’t
changed at all.
He said, “Our goal of where we wanted to be is where we are right
now.” He went on to express appreciation to Lincoln, Logan County,
and all those who have helped them along the way.
Colleen Roate added to the comments
saying that the primary reason she had wanted everyone behind the
ribbon for the ceremony was because that everyone who was in the
room had contributed to the business in one way or another, and it
was because of all those present, that the Roates and Hanger could
enjoy this anniversary.
With speeches concluded it was time
for the traditional posed picture then the snip of the ribbon by the
three owners.
Afterward everyone was invited to enjoy free pizza provided by
Guzzardo’s along with some sweet treats, and of course their
favorite brew.
The Spirited Republic ten-year anniversary will continue this Friday
evening with an anniversary party with live music, craft beers, and
giveaways including free anniversary glasses while supplies last.
Doors open at 4 p.m.
[Nila Smith]
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