When local entrepreneur Franklin Dismuke purchased the 13,000-square-foot building downtown to build what is now Eagle Creek Brewery, he had no idea what a tiger he had grabbed by the tail.
        Dismuke purchased the building in 2013 and began repurposing the former restaurant into an operating brewery in the heart of downtown. The building sat empty for three years and 50 percent of the businesses downtown were unoccupied.
        He had a dream of creating a business in his hometown that would be a destination for downtown and help attract locals and visitors alike. For the next three years it seemed that every step forward was met with two steps back. He quickly discovered the high cost and unique challenges of operating a manufacturing facility and the limitations placed on his business by antiquated state alcohol laws.
        Fortunately, Dismuke never gave up his day job as a financial consultant for hospitals.
        However, working two full-time jobs has taken a bit of a toll and there were many days I am certain he would like to rethink this business model. But Dismuke worked doggedly to figure out a way to make this business work.
        He partnered with other craft breweries and enlisted the help of the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild in Georgia and the Brewers Association nationally to lobby legislators to change the laws to provide more opportunities for them. Once the Speaker of the House David Ralston understood the unique challenges, changes began to happen for the industry. This has been a slow process, but progress nonetheless.
        Last year, Dismuke worked with the city to change the designation of his operation from a brewery to a brew pub. That limited his barrel sales annually to 10,000, but it allowed him to sell beer on site in addition to distributors. It also allowed him to retail beer by the can and by the case.
        In making this change he had to reopen the kitchen and does have to comply with the 50/50 alcohol/food sales rules. He also now operates a full bar that includes liquor, wine and beer. He can also incorporate other brands of beer in addition to his popular Eagle Creek brands.
       With his hands full operating the brew pub and his other business, Dismuke began to look for a partner to bring in to manage the food side of the business. It so happened that the "Bad Boy" of Bar B Q, Travis Phillips, AKA "The Painted Chef," was looking for an opportunity to expand his reach.
        Phillips began catering events seven years ago while he worked full time at Briggs and Stratton. He got the nick name "painted" because almost every part of his body is "painted" with tattoos. The "Bad Boy" moniker comes from his appearance, but if you know Phillips, his look is very deceiving. You will never meet a more talented, down to earth, nicer guy who enjoys pushing the envelope in every way possible when it comes to his culinary talents.
        Last year he opened a location in downtown Register operating on Saturday's only and closing "when all the barbeque is sold."
        His barbeque quickly grew in popularity and he began to search for ways to expand. He quit his job in manufacturing and focused full-time on his catering and barbeque business.
        Shortly after doing this, he was introduced to Frank Lyons, a wonderful chef who recently relocated to Statesboro. Lyons' family has been in the restaurant business for years in Philly. He knew the business and loved the edge Travis brought to the table.
        Lyons is now overseeing The Painted Chef inside Eagle Creek Brew Pub.
        Their creative initial menu includes some of their customer's favorites.
        It is more of a brew pub menu served Wednesday thru Friday beginning at 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday beginning at noon.
        They hope to expand the menu soon and will add some of their popular briskets and barbeque by the pound options to go that are now only available in Register. You can purchase meals to go now, with or without your favorite Eagle Creek Brew to go, also.
        In addition to Eagle Creek Brew Pub and The Painted Chef, Dismuke also leases space to Barry and Marilyn Turner's popular Sugar Magnolia Bakery.
        The bakery is known for its' delicious bakery items, wonderful breakfast and lunches, pizza nights on Thursday and Friday and Saturday and Sunday Brunches.
        This new breath of life for Dismuke is just what the doctor ordered. It allows him to operate as a restaurant which attracts a much broader audience. With great food, wonderful beer, wine and mixed drinks, terrific local live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights Eagle Creek is once again becoming a destination downtown.
        I encourage you to give Eagle Creek, The Painted Chef and Sugar Magnolia a try.
        You will be pleased with the wonderful vibe they have created, which is important in continuing to bring students and locals alike downtown.