Corrie Scully & Renie Schoenkerman shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Corrie & Renie, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
There is so much pain and suffering and fear and uncertainty these days, that the practice of hunting for joy has become imperative. Before the pandemic, we considered seeking and savoring joy as a “good idea,” Now, with our world in disarray, we see joy as our number one top priority to bring joy to others, and to receive it! Music is our main source of joy; live music, vinyl, public radio, that sort of thing. We saved up and went to see Beyonce twice when she was in town! That filled the joyometer for months! Music is something that really brings people together, and breeds joy. Our hope is that with good music, good vibes, and a really good Bloody Mary, joy will spread.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
MiddleBar is a craft cocktail company based in Los Angeles. We have won multiple national awards for our MIDDLEBAR MARY–the worlds 1st Bloody Mary Mocktail, absolutely delicious with or without the booze. What began in the middle room of our shotgun style apartment, evolved from a food lab and blog to a catering and cocktail catering company, then into a farmers market favorite, then into a Jazz Bruncherie in Inglewood, CA, and is now making its way across the nation in bars, restaurants, holels, shops, and of course n Amazon. We just graduated from gorgeous, but heavy, expensive and breakable glass bottles to sleek, chic 7.5oz cans which preserve freshness and lock in flavor like never before! The new advancements in canning make this possible for the first time. “Wow! I can t believe how much flavor comes out of this can! I feel like I’m in Mad Men.”
We are a proud women-owned and queer-owned company. Our mission is to help people GATHER with their loved ones, RELAX & ENJOY some precious time here on Earth.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
Most of the women in our lineages were not permitted to work outside the home. We feel so fortunate to even be allowed to work and use our skills, let alone own a business, make our own money and build our own future. We are now, in this generation, surrounded by brilliant, hard-working women who are kicking ass in the business world. They are our inspiration, our guides.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been only a few moments where MiddleBar’s existence was in peril. Health concerns almost took us out, more than once! Pandemic nearly destroyed us, and everything else in our world. (Woof, that was harrowing.) Ultimately, we continue to reaffirm our commitment to not die on this or any hill. What we have found to be true is that if you just don’t die, then you move through even the toughest of times. Just don’t die. Don’t give up.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Back in 2009, we set out to create the world’s best library bar in the comfort of our own home. To that end, we built a long, tall, pub height table, surrounded by books and music and art. The height was important because it created a MIDDLEBAR for people to lean in and engage. We’d go to the farmer’s markets, see what was fresh and bring home a bounty for cooking and cocktailing. MIDDLEBAR took on a life all its own. Soon our home became a hub for hospitality. We had a speakeasy-style system so our friends and neighbors would see the open window, hear the music, and smell the delicious dishes being churned out nightly. We would hear from people all the time, “You guys gotta do this!” But we didn’t know what “this” was. This is our destiny together. We are parents raising our idea baby together. We are helping MIDDLEBAR to become the biggest, best version of itself in this world, so it does the greatest amount of good. It’s not a 5-year plan. It’s our life. Middlebar will take our lifetime to fully realize the potential. In the meantime, it’s a beautiful life.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Everything that we are doing today will take 5-10 years to come to fruition. Everything.
Most excitingly, we are raising capital to bulk up our manufacturing in order to service the airlines!!
Currently, we’re in talks with several major airlines, and soon the MIDDLEBAR MARY will be available 30,000 ft in the sky!
Can you imagine ordering a Bloody Mary on an airplane and being transported by the MIDDLEBAR MARY?! People are going to be so happy to finally have a delicious, hand-crafted Bloody Mary aboard their flights. In the next 7-10 years, 10million people/year will be enjoying our award-winning Bloody Mary Mocktail with vodka, tequila, gin, mezcal, and beers, or all on it’s own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.middlebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middlebarla/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MiddleBar
Image Credits
MiddleBar LLC
