My two biggest passions in life (outside of my family and dogs, of course) are small businesses and food (followed closely by home design and decor). Years ago, back when Elsie and I first started blogging together because we had a lot of free time during the week while we worked in our local vintage store, I also ran a small cupcake side business. I stocked our local shop with treats everyday of the week and I also catered weddings on the weekends sometimes. I love that part of my day to day job still includes getting to play around in the kitchen, and I could not be more excited to expand on my passions by collaborating on our next big project: opening a bar!
Images from: Float Away Studios
Initially Elsie and I had discussed starting a bar of some kind together. But then when her plans changed to include moving to Nashville, it just didn't feel like the right time for the particular idea we had in mind. Maybe in a few years? But we already had a great relationship with Josh, one of the owners of our current favorite local bar (Scotch & Soda). So when Trey and I started looking at commercial properties in our downtown area, initially just as a real estate investment goal, we got addicted to the dream of filling that space with a bar we could call our own. So we told Josh. And he, along with Rogan, pitched a rum bar idea to us. We loved it! We collaborated to make it into a concept we were all excited about, and then the business plans started to develop. Things have been rolling along ever since, and we just closed on the property and will soon begin some renovations that will need to take place before we can open.
What will the bar be like?
Collage Image Sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
Do you want to see the actual bar (not the building, but the bar top)? Check it out:
Do you have a name yet?
Yes. We're calling it The Golden Girl Rum Club, named for an awesome rum cocktail. I think we went through about 100 names before we landed on this one. So if you hate it, please don't tell me. 🙂
Does this mean you won't be working at A Beautiful Mess anymore?
Oh goodness, no! ABM is my main squeeze. I LOVE my job and have no plans to stop doing what I'm doing until the Internet breaks and Elsie and I are forced out. 🙂 My "day job" won't be changing. But I will be one of four owners of the bar, and so of course I will have some responsibilities there. I am really excited about working on menu development and the interior design in the coming months. Trey and I will also likely be very involved in many of the marketing aspects of the project. And I'll get to learn firsthand a whole lot about day to day operations from our partners, who certainly have more experience than me (x100). Which I am SO excited about—bring on the learning!
Bottom line: I am SUPER excited about this project and plan to be involved, but my current gig won't be changing at all. My life is just expanding to include another dream now, and I could not feel more lucky.
I can't wait to share more with you as this dream becomes a reality! Also, if there are any bar or restaurant owners reading who want to tell us about your story or share some advice, I'm all ears. XX. Emma
Credits // Author: Emma Chapman. Photography: Elsie Larson. Other images credited/linked throughout.
122 Comments
Super rad! LOVE this! Going after your dreams is the most exciting, empowering thing! All the fist bump emojis! 😉
CONGRATS! What an exciting new endeavor! I can’t wait to read more about it, and hopefully visit someday! 🙂
Congrats guys! I LOVE the name and I can’t wait to have some cocktails and apps there 🙂 that little space has been a couple different things recently, but I’ve always thought it would be a perfect place for a little restaurant or bar. I’m excited to see what you do with the place!
So freaking excited! Love the name and the concept! Is that the building on the square across from Coffee Ethic? Can’t wait till it’s done! So much crazy exciting news on ABM all in one day! I almost can’t even handle it!
Congrats Emma…!!! Of course I’ll visit you when everything is ready and I hope to see you there and make my one of my wish come true…!!! xoxo..!!! Andy
So exciting! love the name 🙂 congrats and good luck!
This is so exciting!! Congratulations! 🙂
WOWWOWWOW!!!
Congratulations!!!!
And all the best for your plans and dreams.
I like it soooo much.
Greetings & Love
Ines
http://www.eclectichamilton.com
WHAT! Is this real life?! This is so great! I’m so happy you have this opportunity – you are seriously going to knock it out of the park.
My Wall Arts … Pineapples….!!
https://www.etsy.com/es/shop/Fireflyhomedecor/search?search_query=pineapple&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search
Sending good vibes your way. So excited for y’all! Love the photo- looks like a happy group 🙂
Yeah, yeah. It’s in the same quadrant as Coffee Ethic but at the other end—directly across the street from the Heer’s.
-Trey
Follow your dreams!!! Super cool and fun. I live in LA and the Wexler’s deli spot is gorgeous. The white tiles are everything.
xo,
Mel
http://www.picklesandpalmtrees.com
Amazing! I have no helpful advice to share but just wanted to say how awesome to be doing so many things you love!
congratulations. how exciting for you all! I do not know about the drink but the golden girls is my all time favorite show so, I think it is a great name. I would come just for the name. 😉
This look AWESOME! Congrats to you and good luck!! I love this 🙂
– Kaitlyn | http://www.TheCrownFox.com
This is so awesome Emma! So exciting for you guys. I dream about opening a small craft shop in my downtown area just to be a part of the history. This is so great! Congrats!!!
http://www.oncarolinast.com
Love the name!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!
This place looks sooooo awesome!
PRIMARK Haul June 2015 + giveaway
Good luck guys!!
PS: I love the name! 😉
Yay!!!! I’m so excited for you guys. It’s going to be so amazing.
It’d be really fun if there was an ABM cocktail created by one of your lovely readers as a contest!
I, for one, LOVE the name!! Congrats!
Sarah M
This is SO rad! I wish I lived around or near your neck of the woods, I adore the theme you are going with 🙂 Can’t WAIT to see it all come together, keep us posted! Best wishes to you guys! xo
Carla
http://www.glitzandgranola.com
When are y’all set to open?! Such a fun concept!
GGRC has a nice ring to it. WAY TO GOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t know if you have a name planned already but I think “Coast to Coast” is a great bar name! I love that detail on the front entrance.
I’m excited for you. It sounds like a blast.
This is so exciting! Major congrats and I’m loving the interior inspo! I’ll definitely stop by if I’m in the area.
-M
http://www.violetroots.com
This bar sounds like ALL kinds of awesome!!! Based on my knowledge of tiki bars and rum cocktails (which is more than I care to admit) you guys are timing this so perfectly, on the upswing of a trend! I have such much optimism and excitement for this venture. There’s also some really good vintage tiki stuff out there, giving you the option to add one or two legit accents or elements to the bar. (You could serve a special, super traditional tiki cocktail in vintage tiki glasses! Or have one really cool art piece on the wall! I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE POSSIBILITIES!) I love LOVE that you’re bringing rum and tiki into the 21st century with wood and gold and white.
Will it be strictly drinks? Or will you have food as well? And will there be a pupu platter, because people LOVE to say “pupu platter,” especially after a cocktail.
So happy for and so inspired to get out there and make some dreams and chase them!!
I don’t know how willing you’d be to share, but I have been thinking of opening a business for a while and feel overwhelmed with the process of buying/leasing a space, getting permits & business licenses, etc.
If you did a post about the real technical side of making this dream come true, that would be amazing, and would really make me feel like I’m not alone in this crazy world of entrepreneurship!
Love Holly
Very cool, congratulations!! I can’t imagine it being anything other than awesome!
Melanie
http://www.theseblankwalls.com
Congrats, that’s so exciting!! Also, that name, ahhh-mazing!
Super exciting project – and I LOVE the pineapples! 🙂 xx
I’m fist bumping you back Emily. Thanks!
-Emma
I hope at least some readers will get to see it first hand someday. Springfield is an awesome city but being smack in (almost) the center of the country means we’re a little, uh, out of the way I guess you could say.
Anyway, I’ll post lots of photos and fun stuff so at least everyone will get to experience a little bit of it with me. 🙂
-Emma
That’s exactly how I feel-you nailed it. I keep thinking, “Is this real life? I actually get to be a part of this?!?!”
Such a good feeling. I’m feeling really, really lucky lately. 🙂
-Emma
Ha! Yeah, the show is pretty rad too. 🙂
-Emma
Too much fun, ladies! What a great opportunity! Absolutely love it!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
I know what you mean. Getting to be in older, historical spots is just so cool. Our downtown has lots of old buildings on our town square and now we OWN ONE! It’s just so insane to me.
🙂
-Emma
That’s fun. So… like, do you have a cocktail to share with me??? Email me. 🙂
-Emma
Later this year. No exact date yet but I’ll share the look of the bar with you all once we’ve got it near completion. 🙂
-Emma
Oh yes, there will be food as well. 🙂
-Emma
We’re actually working on a small business e-course at the moment. But if you have any specific you are welcome to email me (emma@abeautifulmess.com). I may not know the answer, but I’d be happy to help if I can.
🙂
-Emma
This can not be topped by anything in the blog world today! Congratulations to y’all! <3
Love, Kristyn
http://www.contrastofeffect.com
Congratulations!!! I love it. Definitely rely on your operations guys when it comes to building out the bar because I’ve worked in many where I’ve thought, “WHY did they put xyz HERE??? Obviously whoever designed this bar has never worked in one!”
Good luck! It will be amazing, per usual!
awesome! thats a Good spot!
Awesome news!! You and Elsie are total inspirational powerhouses. Always looking to grow and challenge yourselves and create bigger and more awesome things! Go girl!
I will definitely be making a trip to Springfield! Scotch and Soda is my current favorite bar in Springfield! Honestly, we love downtown Springfield so much more than downtown St. Louis. We wish we could plunk downtown Springfield down the street from where we live now. With your talents combined with the experience of Josh I don’t see how you can miss! Best of luck to you in this exciting opportunity! I can’t wait to visit when it opens!
Congratulations guys! So excited to see what you do with the place and the menú! And the name is great! <3
Oh my GOD I AM EXCITED FOR A TIKI/RUM BAR DOWNTOWN!!!
…..yeah. I’m a tad excited. This is RIGHT on the square, too, isn’t it?
So exciting! This is the coolest thing I’ve ever heard!
Congratulations!
xx Lane
Congrats and good luck! I guess it’s a very important step for you all!
xoxo
Oh that is so exciting for you! Well done for embarking in such an adventurous new project. We are planning a trip to the states from Ireland and I hear the trip can make you quite thirsty so. . . . Alas a cocktail is rather essential.
Congrats on your new venture Emma!I like the inspiration photos and can’t wait to see what it actually turns out to look like 🙂 Also, extremely random but you and Trey have the exact same smile in the first picture! Haha
Yay congrats! Maybe we’ll be seeing some of the cocktails you’ve shared on ABM! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
I am coming to visit from Canada!! CONGRATS! XO
I want to go to there
Congratulations! 🙂 That is such a huge accomplishment. We love the inspiration. 😀 It’s going to look amazing. xox
www. GlossyFinds.com
Congratulations! How fun. I love the pineapple and tiki idea.
Having been in the industry for 13 years, the idea of a white bar makes me cringe a bit, just because it shows everything just like black can. During a busy rush it can get looking messy very quickly so hopefully behind the bar isn’t all white.?
Also, trends here in the PNW are a bit different but calling a place a “…rum club” can lead to assuming it’s mostly a rum place and not everyone likes rum.
Congrats!!! There is actually a tiki inspired rum bar that just opened up in Tulsa. It’s called “The Saturn Room”. They might be a good crew to chat with!! Can’t wait to see how this dream becomes reality for yall!!!!
Loving those inspiration photos! It’s going to look so cool, I can tell already! Cheers to following your passions!
Congrats!! This is so awesome and I am seriously so happy for you guys. Kudos for making your dreams come true, and I will make a visit one day if I ever find myself in town 😀
Julia
ExploresMore.com
That’s so awesome! I’ve wanted to open my own bar for a while and I get so inspired and gitty whenever I hear of a new adventure like this! Can’t wait to see what it brings!
Omg well done!! Congratulations!! I’m sure it’ll be a wonderful place 🙂
Dorky-and-weird.blogspot.com
Xoxo Jessy
Very cool!!! http://www.hannamarielei.com
Wow that is so incredibly exciting! And to know the property belongs to you all now and you can make it your own! I can’t wait to see how it all turns out!
I think that both you and Elsie are so inspiring. The things you are doing now (moving to Nashville, opening a bar) seem so unattainable to someone like me (a 20 year old wondering what to do with her life) but then I remind myself that you guys were once just a person with a dream and you’ve worked hard to turn it in to reality. I really look to you guys as real life role models, what you have achieved is amazing yet still attainable and I hope that one day I have the drive to do half as well as you both. Congratulations 🙂
Congrats! That is so cool!
Oh, congrats to you all!!! Couldn’t be happier for you xxxx
you guys are spoiling us with announcements today 😉
So so happy for you and your new endeavor. I can’t wait to read all about it’s progress and success. thank you for always being a true inspiration to live out our dreams and never stop working for what we want.
My friend Meg and I kept talking about a road trip to come see the Red Velvet shop, and we were so bummed when you closed! This gives us another reason to drive through the middle of the country 🙂 Good luck! Can’t wait to see what you come up with for design and menu!
I know Aunt Gayle and I will be in. Aunt Gayle loves her Mai Tais! Congratulations! We are so proud of you!
Congrats! That’s so exciting and I wish you the best of luck!
This is SO awesome! Congratulations! Good luck following your dreams, I’m jealous 🙂
This is so cool!! I LOVE the name 🙂 and since I was born in KCMO, I’ll definitely have to take a trip down to Springfield next time I’m visiting family! Hooray and congrats you guys!
Aaah yay, that’s so exciting!! Congratulations! I’ll definitely have to roadtrip cross-country now! xx
this is so exciting!! congratulations 😀
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
Wow, big news!Congrats, this must be so exciting for you all. I wish you all the best for this project.
This is so exciting, I can’t wait to follow your new bar story xx
Hey Emma! I’m beyond excited for you about your new endeavor. Your post on changing dreams has meant a lot to me and to see you embrace new dreams as new doors open for you is genuinely inspiring to me. Don’t stop, get it get it! Thanks for letting us in on the exciting news!
What a cool venture! Congratulations! (: can’t wait to see the bar done up!
What a cool venture! Congratulations! (: can’t wait to see the bar done up!
Congrats! I love that you put the cocktail sign on here as inspo! Also, those gold pineapples are so perfect!
XO, Kelly
http://www.dettecakes.com
I love love love the name! Man, you and your sister are such movers and shakers! Congratulations!!
Are you all standing outside the bar in those pics? Because the detail of the building exterior is very reminiscent of a pineapple (I think, anyway); so cool!
Congratulations! This sounds so cool. I love the name (very fun!) & I feel like the pattern on the outside of the building really adds to the whole Rum bar/tiki vibe you’ll have going on! Can’t wait to see more!
Oh, how fun!! Am really looking forward to seeing the bar take shape, that’s for sure!
This is so exciting! I love the name and the vibe you’re going for. It’s so light and bright – not a look you see in many bars today – sounds like it’s going to be a really amazing space. I only wish I lived there so I could check it out in person when it opens!
Congratulations! I love seeing people’s dreams expand as they try new things and pursue multiple dreams! 🙂
This is so exciting! I hope to open up a small business of my own one day too! 🙂
Monica / Mocha and Moccasins
How exciting is this!!?
I would absolutely love to own a bar & I’m excited to follow your journey!
This is great! You guys are totalt awesome!
So very cool!!! I will be making a trip to Springfield to visit this place! I hope there are vintage tiki inspired tshirts.
Amazing. Good luck x
EMMA! Ahhh! I’m so so so happy and excited for you. High five, sweet friend! xoxo
This is so awesome! Congrats!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Yay to that! I’m happy to read about other 4-people partnerships! My boyfriend started a bar as well (the same month I gave birth to my babygirl! Call us crazy), with 3 college buddies! Here are some tips I could give you:
– partners: 4 is a lot to agree on stuff, so set up roles from the start! So each of you will have the main say about decisions regarding your own area. This means letting go of things, but that’s ok.
– Say what you have to say, don’t keep stuff inside, but have an as open communication as you can!
– Get a good lawyer and accountant to help you out! You really don’t want to have to think about this stuff, you will have plenty to think about! 🙂
– It will take up SO much time and energy.
– But it will make you SO happy! I don’t think I ever heard Paolo say ‘I don’t want to go today’. Not a single time! And if it doesn’t make you happy, that means something has to change. You can’t spend all that time and energy into something that just doesn’t make you happy! (Paolo ran another bar before this one, with partners he ended up not agreeing on anything. The day he decided to leave, he became the old him again. And now everything worked out great! So don’t be afraid to walk away if things don’t work out!)
– Treat your family that comes over like kings. Ok, that’s my personal advice! 🙂 I often go there with my babygirl Sofia, otherwise she barely sees her daddy for a couple of days. 🙂 And we love it there! It’s more a bistro than a bar, and I love to go there on Sundays with her. We are really treated like kings, and they make us feel at home. Which it should be for you guys, like a second home where you are happy to come!
– Be kind and genuine with your clients. They just started out but their concept was very clear: “make good home-made italian food, and a great place to enjoy a glass of wine or aperitivo with your friends”. Of course they thought about how to make money, but mostly they thought about their clients and how to make them happy and have a great time. And people pick up on that! The good reviews on tripadvisor have been flying in like crazy, all 5 stars! So, think about your people first, and money will come in by itself.
– and last: enjoy enjoy enjoy! 🙂
Anke
For the working from home mommies: http://www.patternsandmilk.com
So exciting, congratulations! Looking forward to seeing more photos.
xo,
Josephina
Wow, congratulations How exciting !
This is so freaking cool! Soooo excited for you! What a great adventure!
♥Heather and Melissa
I don’t know why I thought of this… you should sell Cotton Candy at the bar.
how amazing! congrats!
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
This is so exiting and I love the inspiration, it’s such a cute idea to mix minimal with the whole tiki tropical look. Love it!
Danika Maia
http://www.danikamaia.com/bananarama
BLOGLOVIN
Congratulations! Looks fantastic!
http://www.noovernightguests.wordpress.com
Congrats from a local Missourian! I’ll have to do a weekend stay in Springfield when you’re up and running! Your blog is so encouraging! As a dreamer of owning my own small business, I’d love to know the ends and outs of starting a small business….licensing, legal stuff, and advertising to get those happy customers! If you have something like this posted, can you direct me to the link? Good luck with this new adventure!
Thank you guys for sharing your lives and ideas and dreams with us…
You really are such an inspiration
Yay Emma!!! You’re amazing. I love the name too! Most bar names seem so harsh or overly fancy, I’ve never been quite attracted to them. (In my opinion.) But y’alls name sounds so retro, easy-going, and super fun. I can picture a dozen sister styles inspired by this. (I hope y’all still keep sister style going (at least once in a while), it’s my favorite thing on the blog!!!!)
Awesome!!! Congrats, Emma.
Carrie
http://www.wearwherewell.com
Wishing you the best of luck on this new adventure!! What a fun, exciting time for you!
<3 Haley @ http://www.beautyinthischaos.com
Check out Punch Bar in Chicago, along with the resto above it Dusek’s. The most amazing vibe and best cocktail menu EVER.
Thank you for sharing this, Emma! Not to sound too hokey, but I find you really inspiring. I have a few small business ideas that I would love to start, but sometimes it’s hard to see them as a reality. It’s very cool to read about your professional evolution and all the exciting opportunities you’ve created for yourself and brought into real life. It makes me feel like I could do it, too! 🙂
That’s so amazing! You’re such an inspiration! Also, I love the name, the bar top, and the color choice! I can’t wait to see the finished place!
Laura
http://laurahager.blogspot.com/
Love the name – if you hadn’t already had me with that, I’d be there for the white, wood, gold, and pineapple decor! Can’t wait to see how it shapes up!
How exciting! I love small businesses, and this bar looks so beautiful and the concept is divine. <3 Also, the name has such a nice ring to it!
So excited about this! Please flood us with details!
Wow, your own bar! How exciting!
Congratulations and good luck!
I am seriously so excited for you guys! :]
Best of luck!
That rocks! Sending you all good vibes. Can’t lose with a solid name like that AND pineapples.
So exciting! Do let us know the address so we can come visit next time we’re in the US x
Dreams do come true after hard works of course. Congratulations and also good luck for the business.
How exciting! I love that it doesn’t like like your typical bar, dark and shady. The brightness looks so refreshing!