Friday, March 8, 2013

Why The Aqualand Ale House?

People who know us have asked this question. There are really just two reasons. Love and War. My husband Dick is a career military man, retiring in late 2011 with over 35 years of service. Beginning his military career as a "barely" high school graduate, better known for his crazy motorcycle riding than his academics, Dick finished as a senior field grade officer with an MBA. As was the case for so many others, 9/11 marked the beginning of a shift in our priorities. Preparing for the first of three year-long missions, the first to Nicaragua and the last two to Afghanistan, we were suddenly aware of how fragile life can be. There was a tugging that began in that shocking event. I had always longed to moved "home" back to Boulder Jct, to be near my parents and to listen to the quiet that is never empty- the sound of the woods. So for me, I started to long more fervently. For my husband, he began to consider what would come next, once his military life was done. His motto of "never get comfortable" meant that he would not just retire and porch sit. Jobs in the military nearly always send people into retirement before they are old enough to long for that. In the next few years during endless hours of self contemplation available to a soldier far from home, Dick began to delve into what was possible. There were two things that rose to the top, he desired to have a place in the sun, a place in a foreign country to go to, to be warm and to diversify investments. Second, Dick knew he wanted to control his own destiny- business ownership. He didn't know what business, but had the desire to have a business that he could run in such a way that he could become a part of the community around him, hiring young adults, mentoring, meeting needs, helping and building something for his sons. It took ten years, but in summer of 2012, we finally found a property and a business that would fit both of us. To own a small business in Boulder Jct would draw me home and to go into a business where we could promote our interests and hobbies would give us an endless opportunity. We knew a craft beer venue with fresh, homey foods, baked goods, casseroles, fine cheeses, pretzels and sausages would be a great fit for our interests and seemed to be an area of opportunity in Boulder Jct. The Frog House retail shop would extend the opportunity for customers to shop for the same great things to take home with them as well. Once we knew we had a business, the question of what to name the business came next. There was one thing we knew for sure- among many of our generation, there was a fond memory of Aqualand and it's attachment to out childhoods. We talked to my parents- the owners of the name and asked what they thought. Bringing back to life the name Aqualand, using the photos and memorabilia as decor, and selling logo items, they thought this idea would be fine and would be fun for them too. As a dabbling writer, I discussed with my sisters the thought that we should write a book to tell the story- the story of one generation's Narnia. It is my hope that sometime this summer, a small volume will be available in the Frog House Gifts. I loved Aqualand, loved my very special childhood, love my family and love the northwoods from whence I came. My husband loves me, loves craft beer and desires to start a business for our family and to be part of the community. So that is how the Aqualand Ale House was born; Born as I said at the beginning- through Love and war.

1 comment:

  1. Susie, So glad to hear of your plans of "coming Home" and creating the next Boulder Junction "classic" business. I understand the "tugging", the lure of coming "home". Mt hubbie and I plan to be there full time in the next year or so. So looking forward to returning to the place of our (the children of the Northwoods) beginning, and be part of the new visions we bring with us. Good Luck and can't wait for opening day. Wendi Haag Neupert.

    ReplyDelete