After years of experience in restaurant management, Hilary Huffard decided to use her expertise to fulfill her dream. “I learned how to train and hire people through my past experiences, and I love to create space for people to enjoy,” says Hillary. Therefore after two-and-a-half years of planning, Roses’ Taproom was born in July 2017.
Located on Oakland’s Telegraph Avenue where lots of boutique stores and restaurants thrive, Roses’ Taproom may not instantly grab your attention when you pass by, but you will be amazed by the friendly and welcoming ambiance once you step in. “We want to build a brewery within a bright and airy environment where people can enjoy a glass of high quality beer, freshly brewed by us,” Hillary explains.
The pink and turquoise theme as well as the dripping plants differentiate Roses’ Taproom from other bars in the Oakland area. “My husband, Luke, was a furniture designer and he made all the tables and chairs for the taproom,” explains Hillary. By combining their expertise, Hillary and Luke are bringing their dream to life.
“Raising and spending money at the same time may be one of the biggest challenges we had,” remembers Hillary. “Adrian Gomez Zavala, Assistant Vice President – Relationship Manager, from Main Street Launch helped us a lot at the time. We went through many things together, and he kept encouraging and providing us suggestions throughout the process of starting our business.”
Hillary used the loan from Main Street Launch to buy brewing equipment, apply for permits and pay for construction. “Working with Main Street Launch is a positive experience. Because of the loan, we are able to keep making improvements as our business grows!”
Hillary offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Always be prepared and trust your instincts. If opening a taproom, be prepared that most of the time you are spending are not related to beer brewing. The process of opening a business is hard and lengthy, but don’t be afraid of seeking help!”
Roses’ Taproom partners with other local businesses. “We are not just distributing our beer to other restaurants, we also serve food from the business in our neighborhood!”
Beside the small batch, freshly brewed beer, Hillary also wants to highlight their Mug Club membership. “We worked with talented local artists and you can choose a unique mug for yourself. The mug lives in our taproom, and it will be your drinking vessel. The best thing is that your beer is discounted at each visit,” Hillary explains.
Roses’ Taproom is the go-to destination for people who want to simply enjoy a sunny afternoon by themselves and beer lovers who want to be continuously surprised. Do not hesitate, stop by Roses’ Taproom today and let your beer adventure begin!
