Industry Bar
This past June, after working for Myriad Brewing Company for the past four years, Ally Speicher was given an opportunity that she’d dreamed of but never really thought possible. The owner of Myriad Brewing, who had become a mentor and friend, asked Ally and her fiancé, Zane Skeels, to take over the Myriad Brewing space in Evansville and make it their own. Both Ally and Zane had worked as bartenders for many years, so this opportunity provided the perfect chance to make their vision a reality.
Together they opened Industry Bar on September 19, and they say that life has been a whirlwind ever since. They’ve spent countless 18-hour days, pouring their hearts into the business. They know the industry well, but running a bar is a whole new challenge.
Throughout and following the transition, the owners of Myriad Brewing Company stepped in as mentors, guiding the new owners whenever they have questions or have run into a problem. They encouraged Ally and Zane to get connected with the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center and a business advisor right away. They were assigned to Mike Harmon, who helped them write their business plan and complete the necessary steps to be set up for success. “I wish I would have contacted the SBDC a little sooner,” reflected Ally. “It would have saved us a lot of stress.”
Looking back on the past several months, Ally says,“At first, I was terrified. But the support we’ve received and the crowds that have packed our bar have been nothing short of amazing. My favorite part so far is seeing family, friends, and even complete strangers come together and enjoy the space we’ve created. We’ve worked so hard to build this, and watching people make memories here is incredibly rewarding.” They are also incredibly thankful for other local bar owners who have been very generous with advice and assistance when they needed it most.
Ally and Zane have poured themselves into making Industry Bar a place people love. From painting the walls and changing the artwork to adding a pool table, dart boards, and expanding the liquor selection, they’ve put their own personal touch on everything. Armed with a team of 10 employees, they have expanded their hours and plan to add late-night food options very soon. They are also excited to host community events and support local organizations like It Takes a Village, where they adopted their best canine coworker named Kylo.
Ally and Zane have discovered that the dream is rewarding but exhausting. Ally says, “The hours never stop, and we’re always in work mode. Even when I sleep, I’m thinking about what we can improve. But at the end of the day, we wouldn’t have done it if we didn’t love this industry—making drinks, meeting people, and creating a space that feels like home.”
To learn more about Industry Bar, please visit them at 101 SE 1st Street in Evansville or find them on social @Industry Bar.