Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce
Member Highlight: River Saint Joe
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Product, Process, People, Place |
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Pictured from Left to Right: Fran Tuite, Brian Dougherty and Annie Tuite |
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River Saint Joe (RSJ), brewery, restaurant, and venue, located on Flatwater Farms, an organic farm that grows their hops and provides produce for their farm-to-table menu, was set to have their grand opening in March of 2020. While it looked different than originally planned, River Saint Joe was able to demonstrate trademark flexibility to adjust and respond to the ever-changing regulations. By April 2020, RSJ opened to the public by offering online ordering and curbside pick-up and introduced Buchanan to their hyper-local menu which only increased anticipation and excitement for the newest meeting place. |
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Speaking with CEO and co-owner Brian Dougherty, one instantly understands the value he places on team. Brian is quick to recognize the various aspects that make RSJ special and who is responsible for their success.
Starting with product, he emphasizes the skill and dedication of RSJ's head brewer, Brandon MacClaren. Without a great product, he says, why have a business? When the team met Brandon and tried his brew, they knew instantly that he was the right fit for River Saint Joe. Not only because of his superior brewing talents, but also because of the relationship they were able to form. The same goes for Executive Chef, Tony Houser. It is not just his delicious creations, but also his ability to work in a team and keep RSJ's farm-to-table mission in mind.
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Pictured: Head Brewer Brandon MacClaren |
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Relationship is a recurring theme in the story of River Saint Joe. Be it the relationship between team members, the relationship between food and its source, or the relationship between the business and community; but perhaps no relationship is more central in this equation than the relationship between River Saint Joe and Flatwater Farms.
Flatwater Farms was the dream of co-owner Fran Tuite. Fran initially fell in love with Buchanan due to her passion rowing and the St. Joseph's river's compatible "flat waters." Fran and her sister, fellow farmer and bee-keeper, Annie Tuite, are children of two botanists who taught them a love of plants, the environment and sustainability. It was Fran's lifelong dream of owning a farm that became a reality in 2014 when she bought the land on Walton Road and began the three year process of converting it into what we now know as Flatwater Farms. An organic farm that grows a variety of plants including hops, vegetables and wildflowers, that nourish the soil, wildlife and insects. However, Fran's dream of a farm involved more than a love of plants and wildlife. Her vision included a business that contributed to the wider ecosystem of the community by providing jobs, education and food.
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As the owners, staff and visitors have discovered, River Saint Joe and Flatwater Farms take nourishment to an almost spiritual level where success is based on nourishing the soul. Perhaps this is why when Brian is asked how he measures success, he said it is the moments when he sees a family laughing around the fire pit, or a group of friends smiling over a meal. "And while I focus on what's made - the beer and food," he says, "I'd be remise to not mention the importance of the service team and their dedication to the nourishing." These shared experiences give him, and the rest of the RSJ team, pride knowing that they were able to provide the community with a sense of place.
This sense of place extends beyond the meal. Groups like Buchanan Tree Friends and Bike Buchanan have also found their place at RSJ. Perhaps it's the similar ethos, or simply the welcoming atmosphere, but the influence of River Saint Joe and those who consider it their home-away-from-home, has extended beyond the boundaries of the farm and into the community.
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on the latest news, events and offerings.
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If you've ever been to River Saint Joe, chances are you've seen me and my husband (and maybe our dog) there. Over the summer we enjoyed their weekly concerts sitting outside and bragging about living in Pure Michigan. While those braver than us are enjoying the fire pits and River Rocks, lately we've been appreciating winter with indoor events. Most recently, "Team Team," as we've so cleverly names ourselves, has loved sharing the evening offering passionate educated (and uneducated) guesses to a variety of topics while sipping hot cider and filling up on comforting Beer Mac and Cheese at RSJ's weekly Trivia Night.
Whether there's an event or not, there's always an occasion to enjoy great food and great company, in a great environment. RSJ is the type of business we love to frequent because, yes, we enjoy ourselves, but we also enjoy supporting something we believe in. The commitment to quality products, sustainable practices, and giving back to the community, make River Saint Joe the kind of place where life is better.
Written by Ashley Regal
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2021 Officers for The Board of Directors:
- President - Fran Terry
- Vice President - Karol Behrle
- Treasurer - Ralph McDonald
- Secretary - Stacey Martin
Please continue to contact the Chamber via email or by leaving a message at the office (269-695-3291) and our Executive Director will get back to you. |
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Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce
324 Dewey St, PO Box 127
Buchanan, Michigan 49107
269-695-3291
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FOLLOW US & STAY CONNECTED |
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