By Andrea Vasquez
Cedar Crest’s Rumor Brewing Company plans to expand its space to include a play area and is seeking help from the community to make this dream a reality.
Tucked away just behind Cedar Crest’s post office, Rumor Brewing is a destination hub for outdoor activities, mainly due to its proximity to a hiking and biking trail located right next to it.
The brewery is running a Kickstarter campaign for the new play area in its beer garden with a goal of $10,000. As of today, it has reached 22% of its objective, with $2,205 pledged.
This family-friendly expansion stems from the brewery’s transition into a family-friendly restaurant, attracting families for outdoor activities.
“We get so many families coming in already. We opened up as a brewery, but we kind of transitioned into more restaurant that also makes beer,” said Patrick Johnson, owner of Rumor Brewing.
Johnson wants to start sooner rather than later. He sees this project as both a challenge and an opportunity.
The company plans to enhance its family-friendly reputation and uphold its vision of creating a space for people of all ages.
The area will encompass a children’s play structure offering games such as cornhole, giant Jenga, chess boards and frisbee, among plenty of other activities. The company also plans to collaborate with ExerPlay, Inc. to create “some interesting things for kids to play on.”
The local business is requesting help from the community to fulfill its crowdfunding campaign for a game yard that would offer fun for the whole family.
Although the project is still in the planning stages, Rumor Brewing has acted by designating this area, which will be located outside behind their fencing.
“Even if (the fundraiser) is not successful, we’re still gonna do this,” Johnson said. “Finishing the project is just going to take a lot longer.”
Johnson wants to be transparent about the funds that will benefit the local community and anyone who can visit and learn about their specialty, gluten-free craft beers and extensive menu options.
“We have a whole team here of people who will help us,” he added.
This is not the first time Rumor Brewing has relied on the community’s support as it opened its doors with a funding campaign 10 years ago.
“Our brewery actually launched with a successful Kickstarter campaign several years ago, and we are excited to look to support from the community for a new project in 2025,” said Andres Salazar, Rumor Brewing marketing and outreach.
The brewery also plans to meet with planning and zoning officials to ensure their expansion plans are compliant and up to par “just to make sure that we’re all clear with them and that we want to do everything properly.”
Johnson mentioned that the restaurant’s financial resources are understandably limited, but he is determined to proceed with this project.
He and his team members also got this idea from their relationships with their families and needs.
“I have two young kids, and our Brewer has two young kids, and the kids are growing up with us as it goes,” Johnson said. “And we quickly realized that it’d be great to have a spot for the kids to be able to play.”
Pushing through with this project will make Rumor Brewing “the first of its kind” in promoting community-based relationships in the East Mountains.
The location makes it particularly appealing in the summer. According to Johnson, people seek it out to visit and enjoy a good time and beer.
Contributions of any amount are welcomed, and through the website, contributors can choose from different reward tiers that come with exclusive perks from Rumor Brewing.
The campaign is underway and will run until Feb. 10.
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