Eats+Drinks In search of a sense of community
Highly-anticipated pub opens in Waynesville
Serendipity is a word Makyia Blair has been using a lot lately. “I’m a firm believer in that everything happens for a reason,” Blair said. “And, so far, everything that’s happened has been serendipitous — it’s just worked out that way.” Perched at the end of the dimly-lit bar at The Scotsman Public House in downtown Waynesville one recent afternoon, Blair, alongside her husband, Scot, opened the business this past February to great fervor, where the space has already become one of the most popular spots in Western North Carolina. “My first thought has been, ‘How do we
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know this many people already?’” Makyia reflected on the first few months in operation. “It’s just been so beautiful to see it all unfold. It was also really emotional, knowing how much we’ve put into this space to make our dream a reality.” Originally from Washington State, Makyia went to college for creative writing. But, upon graduation in 2008, she quickly found herself in the food/beverage industry during the crippling economic collapse that year. From there, she left behind the seeming never-ending rainy days of the Pacific Northwest and traded it in for the signature sunshine of San Diego, California. And it
was in Southern Cali where Makyia rose through the ranks of the storied San Diego craft beer and culinary industries, eventually crossing paths with Scot. Hailing from rural Illinois, Scot joined the Marines after high school, soon to be stationed in San Diego, his longtime home where, following his honorable discharge, he dove deep into the food/beverage scene of the city, ultimately parlaying itself into the opening of his own brewery/restaurant. “And when the pandemic hit, I was laid off from my craft beer sales rep position, only to start working for the family business alongside Scot,” Makyia said. “There were so many
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