May 6, 2024, Press Release from Small Nation: May 6, 2024 - On Wednesday, May 1, members of the Small Nation team joined 15 small businesses from around the country for a Small Business Showcase in honor of National Small Business Week. The showcase, hosted by the House Committee on Small Business and Chairman Rep. Roger Williams of Texas, was held in the U.S. Capitol Building as a way to recognize Main Street businesses and their work. Jason Duff, Small Nation Founder and CEO, and Nick Davis, Business Development Associate, attended the showcase with Karen Kerrigan, President and CEO of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, to share with committee members and staff about the work Small Nation does in helping to redevelop small towns. The team highlighted projects like Six Hundred Downtown Pizzeria, Brewfontaine craft beer bar, and the Historic Opera Block project in Downtown Bellefontaine. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Whip Tom Emmer also stopped by the event.

Places like Fat Jack's and Brewfontaine said the restrictions have cut business by 40 percent. So Brewfontaine has tried to bring their business to the customer for game day. "Now we’ve kind of had to pivot and trying to really push takeout and curbside pickup," Adam Rammel said, owner of Brewfontaine in Bellefontaine. "We’ve even jumped on Door Dash. And so, just trying to push in-home—think of us for food and growlers as you watch the game in the comfort of your own home."

A complaint many have had during the pandemic is why can’t a specific business open, not all all business are the same size and shape? And that’s something the governor’s restaurant and bar advisory group took into consideration.

Adam Rammel, owner of Brewfontaine in Bellefontaine represented small businesses while on that advisory group.

"Some of the conversations were based on taking half your occupancy code," said Rammel. "And instead we know that each space is unique and different. Just using the 6 ft social distancing guidelines and then posting what your COVID occupancy number is.

BELLEFONTAINE OHIO – The Founders of Brewfontaine, a popular restaurant and tap room in Bellefontaine, Ohio and the entrepreneurial team at Small Nation announce the construction of The Syndicate, a new 5000 sq. ft. wedding, event and outdoor entertainment venue in the heart of Downtown Bellefontaine. 

For the third year in a row, Brewfontaine took home the title in Ohio. Located in Bellefontaine, Brewfontaine has been in business for 4 years and was instrumental in the revitalization of Downtown Bellefontaine.