This is part of a year-long ‘Love for Local’ series called NB365: portraits of New Brunswick entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations. Huddle is a media partner with Love for Local. Jeff Grandy is the owner of Buddha Bear Coffee Roaster & Holy Whale Brewing Co. in Alma and Holy Whale Beer Hall in Riverview.

I DIDN’T FEEL SATISFIED WITH THE JOBS I HAD IN THE PAST AND ONE DAY I DECIDED TO LAUNCH MY OWN BUSINESS.

This past year has been a rich experience. From adapting to face the challenges to meeting local hustlers and getting to know their products, it’s been a true learning opportunity. I reallocated my own budget from the likes of Amazon and others to actual neighbourhood businesses.

Despite everything that is going on in the world, this is also a time of expansion for us. We just purchased a bowling alley and are currently renovating and rebranding the space. Supporting local businesses has a real impact because your dollars are being spent in the community where you live.

The majority of the money that we receive will then get spent on employee wages and making more New Brunswick beer. When a local business wins, it’s an entire community that wins with it.