Chaffee’s Got Heart has announced that Eddyline Restaurant and Brewery is their fourth Community Spotlight recipient. The committee sat down with CEO and owner of the Eddyline Restaurant and Brewery, Brian England, to learn how the COVID-19 pandemic changed things at the communal gathering place.
England explained how COVID-19 caused him and his team to innovate. “We’ve been working on developing our company culture and values for a long time. As a result, we’ve always been forward-looking, innovative, a leader in the community, doing what we can to set ourselves apart. So, while this was forced upon us, we were able to adapt very quickly because of these values. Our main goal was and continues to be providing great customer service and great quality food at a value.”
He continued “To this end, our biggest innovations were integrating an online ordering system, changing our menu to include take-and-bake specials and foods that would travel well, and adding take out drinks that included not only beer, but also wine and bottles from Deerhammer Distillery. We added in a bodega so people could get products that were tough to find at the grocery store and got creative to provide fun take-home projects like Mother’s Day Brunch Kits. Everything we did was aimed at working with what customers could do at home and adding value to their lives.”
When asked why England decided to go above and beyond for the community, he said “One of the reasons we moved to Buena Vista is because of the community here. Looking at how the pandemic has ripped across globe and talking to other people, we are so fortunate to live where we live.”
CEO and owner of Eddyline Brian England. Image courtesy of Chaffee’s Got Heart.
“The people here are what makes this place so special and we wanted to take extra measures to keep our customers and employees safe. To do this we had to make some sacrifices – like closing the Taproom – but we feel businesses should always put their best foot forward and as a leader in the community, we felt driven to set a high standard,” he added.
England explained where he saw examples that inspired him — where the concept that ‘Chaffee’s Got Heart’ seemed to exist. “We saw our community step up right away in so many ways. The community here is selfless and they’ve proven again and again that no matter what happens, we are going to do what is pragmatic, and what is right for the greater good even if it’s inconvenient for one. We are going to protect each other and rally around each other to get through this together.”
England’s biggest takeaway from 2020 is that “We are fortunate to live where we live. 2020 has confirmed that beyond a doubt for me and my family, BV is an amazing place to be. The community is amazing. Not only can we survive, but we can thrive through the most difficult times and that speaks volumes to the people that live here.”
“Another big takeaway is that even though it may seem difficult, we need to stay diligent now more than ever,” said England. “We need to wear masks, keep our distance and be patient. In Chaffee, it’s easy to feel safe, but we need to keep up safety measures for a while longer so that hopefully, later in 2021, we can return to a level of normalcy.”
Community members who have taken the Chaffee’s Got Heart Pledge and received a free Discovery Pass will receive free chips and salsa from Eddyline. The restaurant also offers an online order portal for faster, safer pick-ups. Follow them on Facebook for the latest updates and news.
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