September Business Spotlight: The Bar
Meet Brandi Benton! Brandi is the owner and founder of The Bar; a vintage horse trailer turned mobile bar. The Bar, provides their clients with a unique mobile bar experience, exceptional customer service, and high-quality cocktails made by a professional mixologist. The bar is the perfect addition to your wedding, corporate event, or private party.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself, your background and family.
“I was born and raised in Georgia and moved to Jefferson in 2004. Brett, my husband, is originally from Augusta, GA . We were married in 2017 and have three boys. Brandon graduated from Jefferson and is now at Georgia Southern, Owen is at Jefferson Middle School and plays soccer and basketball. Mason attends school in Evans Georgia and plays travel baseball. Brett works for a rigging company in Charleston and has been doing hardscape (fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, etc.) on the side for two years. I work full time for Century Fire Protection as an integration project manager and have been with them for 5 years.
Q: When did you start The Bar and what inspired you to open The Bar?
“Starting around my early 20’s, I always wanted to do my own thing. But I didn’t know exactly what that looked like. This desire to start my own business went on into my 30s. During spring break of 2021, I was on the beach scrolling Pinterest and came across an old horse trailer that was turned into a mobile bar and immediately I knew I wanted to do that. I knew of them in other areas but knew that there wasn’t anything like that in Jackson County. I started researching and found someone in Florida who converted them and within a week, it was in my driveway and The Bar was created!”
Q: Tell us about The Bar. What do you provide and offer?
“Initially, the thought was to offer The Bar for weddings, but it’s evolved into much more. We can customize to any type of event, whether it’s for a Saturday tailgate party, a shower, birthday party, corporate event, sip and shops, engagement party and so on. We can also create any type of bar if you don’t want alcohol. Anything from a coffee bar to a popcorn bar, the options are endless. Our staff currently consists of my husband and I, along with my sister, Sara Parr as our Social Media Manager and we recently hired a new mixologist, Amanda Parris. The goal is to one day have a full staff that can run the events.”
Brandi shared with us that mobile bars in the state of Georgia cannot get a liquor license. Mobile bars are a dry hire which means that the client provides the alcohol, and The Bar provides everything else (Cooler, Dual Tap System, Ice, Cocktail Napkins, Wine & Beer Cups, Garnishes, Décor). They give the client a detailed shopping lists of exactly what they will need to purchase to eliminate any stress.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
“We love to travel! We had a big bucket list trip to Italy planned for my 40th and then COVID hit so we had to cancel. But I get to live out that Italian dream vacation in October! “
Q: What is your favorite thing about Jefferson?
“I think Jefferson has been the best place to raise our kids. Jefferson is all about the small town feel and we’ve had the best experience through the school system and with the people here.”
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
“I love to be outside. I love to hike, kayak, be on the lake or the beach and travel. We love to play golf and tennis and love watching our kids play sports.”
Q: What is the greatest piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Put God first. Anything in life worth having is hard work and don’t let fear keep you from pursuing your goals and dreams.”
Q: Tell us something good happening in your life, big or small, that we can celebrate with you!
“Before I met my husband, I went through a very hard season in my life. My son was diagnosed with T-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma when he was 3 years old and battled that for 3 years. He is about to turn 14 and is healthy! I just feel incredibly blessed at this point in life and love that we have the ability to give back.”
Brandi shared with us that CURE is an organization out of Atlanta that is near and dear to her heart. They are advocates for childhood cancer. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, CURE steps in and wraps their arms around that child and their family. They provide meals, offer financial assistance, counseling sessions with licensed professionals at minimal costs and more. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Brandi was able to organize a fundraiser out of Traditions for CURE and raised almost $3,000.
How amazing to hear of what Brandi and her family were able to do to pay it forward and give back. Brandi, thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. We wish you nothing but great things as you continue this business venture. You can follow, The Bar on Instagram and can check out their website for all the details including pricing.
