6 N EW IN TO WN
Baldwin City
BEER COMPANY Microbrewery owner talks turning dream into reality, shares plans Story by Bob Luder | Photos courtesy Baldwin City Beer Company
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hances are, Baldwin City residents had their curiosity piqued while driving past the corner of Sixth and High streets last fall. Why was that big white tent sitting in the middle of the parking lot of a closed antiques bazaar? There must have been something of interest happening underneath because it seemed as though crowds gathering inside the big top grew by the day, certainly weekend to weekend. Turns out, it was Cory Venable getting a jump-start on his dream. Venable, who had worked in insurance, and his wife, Jenni, envisioned the Baldwin City Beer Company while home-brewing beer from a one-barrel system in their home as a diversion from the
Covid-19 lockdown. When Antiques on the Prairie, an antiques consignment store that had been at the location since 2000, closed last July, a suitable building became available, and Venable knew the time was right to move ahead with his vision. Only, the pandemic had other ideas. Venable expected construction to begin toward the end of last summer, but supply and labor issues forced what seemed like a never-ending series of delays. However, nothing could stop Venable from getting a running start on his new business. He took advantage of the large parking lot out front and pitched his tent. After installing TVs, space heaters, and tables, he sold commercial beer—no microbrews just yet—and kept locals entertained throughout the fall.
Baldwin City Living Magazine | 2022 Spring/Summer
