Build Outs, Budgets and Stress: What Happens Before Opening Day


This week on the Localist, we’re talking to Eric Bennett and John Easterling, two local bartenders who are opening their own bar, Continental Drift, soon. Eric and John have both worked in the most popular bars and restaurants in Birmingham, and are putting their expertise and experience to work. They tell us how they found the perfect location, how the buildout phase is going, and how the pandemic has affected their opening schedule. We also learn the inspiration behind their menu, how they’re approaching staffing and management, and the concerns they have about working together as friends.

Mentioned in this episode: 

Carrigan’s

The Collins Bar

The Louis Bar

The Atomic 

Continental Drift

Jessica Hughes Bennett – Architect with ArchitectureWorks

Iron City 

Post Office Pies

@Driftbham on Instagram
@DriftKitchenBHM on instagram 

Neon Moon 

CarrieRollwagen.com

@CRollwagen on Instagram 

About Carrie

Carrie Rollwagen is host of the Localist podcast and cofounder of Church Street Coffee & Books. Currently, she works as Vice President of Strategic Planning at Infomedia, a web development company in Birmingham, Alabama. Find the Localist at @thinklocalist on Instagram and follow Carrie at @crollwagen.

Email with a purpose Let's Keep in Touch

Good news (and practical tips) for small businesses — we're not into being pushy or spammy.