MINNEAPOLIS -- Starting a business, especially in this economy, is no easy task, but a future brewpub in Minneapolis is bucking the trend with a unique business plan.
"It's actually a situation where they become part owner of their neighborhood brewpub," says Jamie Robinson with Smokehouse Brewpub.
It's an $800,000 project, of which Smokehouse has to raise $175,000 for the down payment on the loan. They've been going after investors $1,000 at a time.
"In return we give them free beer for life, there's some equity options, there's free beer for life options, there's kind of a hybrid option," said Robinson.
They're very close to their goal thanks to neighbors like Kelly Neisen.
"As a homeowner, I do think I have a stake in seeing my neighborhood succeed," she said.
Neisen is one of many who've put in the $1,000, or even more, to be a part of what they believe is going to be a success.
"People crave something that's local, something that's authentic, something that reminds them of home, not a cookie cutter that they could get in any suburb across the metro area. They want something unique to call home," said Minneapolis Councilmember Gary Schiff.
He supports the state's first community supported brewpub saying it will help revitalize the neighborhood by refurbishing the building, offering 25 new jobs and creating a landmark.
If all goes as planned, the Smokehouse Brewpub will open at the end of May.
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