Owners Kate Lubing & Hannah Hendrickson HK Brewing Wins Utah Microloan Fund's Opportunity Boost GrantIf you haven't heard the 411, HK Brewing is a force to be reckoned with. Founded and led by two empowered women, their journey into the world of better-for-you beverages began with a shared vision - to create exceptional drinks that not only capture the essence of craftsmanship and creativity but also prioritize health and well-being. One sip of their kombucha, available both with alcohol and without, can tell you that they knocked this out of the park! Keep reading to learn why HK was chosen for an Opportunity Boost Grant.
Salt Lake City's Prettiest Taproom & BarComplementing their brewing expertise is the HK Brewing Collective Taproom & Bar, a vibrant space that goes beyond serving beverages, becoming a community hub. Kate and Hannah originally came to the Utah Microloan Fund in the Spring of 2021 for additional funds to help open the taproom and brewing space now known for delectable drinks, beautiful decor, community-centric events, and just all of the vibes possible. Their goal with the space was to offer a refreshing and health-conscious alternative while fostering a sense of connection among their patrons. From kombucha tastings to live music to drag shows to nonprofit trivia, it creates an immersive experience for all to enjoy.  HK Brewing is located at 370 Aspen Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Combined with their loan from Salt Lake City Economic Development, Hannah and Kate were off to the races to build out their dream space located in the Central Ninth/Granary District neighborhood. This move allowed them to have their very own production facility, warehouse, and event space all in one, a huge plus for the growing brand.
COVID-19 Had Trouble Brewing for HKWhile the team was building out their new dream space, COVID was still disrupting the world as we know it. Not only were they unable to purchase key components for production, but even packaging was a chaotic industry at the time. They continually pivoted their business model to stay up to date with global regulations while attempting to keep their business afloat and ride it out as best they could. They turned their homes into makeshift packaging agencies, converting garages and sheds into small fulfillment stations. Not only that, but they had to buy box fridges to store their product and use whiteboards and tables to create systems for both local delivery and pick-up from their homes/storefronts.
Despite all of this, the team pushed forward, stayed agile, kept their eye on the prize, and weathered the storm that has so widely ravaged our modern world. Coming out the other side, HK officially opened the doors of their taproom to the public in early 2023. How Could an Opportunity Boost Grant Change Their Lives? Behind the scenes HK Brewing was invited to apply for an Opportunity Boost Grant in the Spring of 2024 and was told to think of how they could use funds to boost their business post-COVID. Delighted they instantly knew what they needed, a keg-washer machine. They loved that many businesses were choosing to be sustainable and purchasing in bulk via draft kegs, but as their business grew, they could not keep up with the washing of the kegs themselves. They were driving their kegs every week to a neighboring brewery that allowed them to use their keg washer however, this was not a sustainable solution for the growth of their business. Implementing a keg washer will help HK significantly improve production by increasing efficiency, ensuring consistent quality, saving labor, supporting scalability, and reducing resource usage and downtime. A win-win all around! Made Possible by AARPA & SLC Econ Development Powered by funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and orchestrated by the Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development, the Salt Lake City Community Grant Program was created to help small businesses, artists, artisans, and nonprofits grappling with the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Utah Microloan Fund applied for this grant program which enabled us to create the Opportunity Boost Program to benefit our existing clients who needed a little boost to help them grow and stabilize post-pandemic. This is the first grant program of its kind for the UMLF as our normal business is providing microloans to the small business community. To be able to just give money vs lend it was a big treat for our team! Eligibility of Small Owners invited to apply for the Opportunity Boost Grant:
Stay Connected with HK Brewing
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
