Bringing It All Back Home Rar

Staff photo by Mitchell Northam When visitors to the Eastern Shore were on their way to the beach a few years ago, they likely would have never considered taking a quick detour to downtown Cambridge. Most of the buildings were vacant and many businesses there were struggling due in part to the recession that hit in latter part of the last decade. But Cambridge is on the rebound in 2015.

Businesses and restaurants have popped up and are once again attracting locals and visitors away from Route 50 and into the town. The business in Cambridge that is perhaps the most symbolic of its rebound even has the word 'revival' in its name. ReAle Revival, a two-year old brewery in Cambridge, is allegorical to the town's recovery and to the restoration of the craft-brewing industry. 'Me and my business partner were born and raised here in Cambridge,' said Chris Brohawn, co-owner of RAR. 'We saw what some of the other restaurants downtown were doing that are owned by some of our friends and we just wanted to add to that to help bring downtown back. 'That's why we did it.'

Nearly two years after opening up on Poplar Street in the heart of Cambridge, Brohawn, co-owner J.T. Merryweather and head brewer Randy Mills have seen their beer served all around the Eastern Shore and also in Annapolis, Baltimore and the Washington D.C. Model j bolt objects.

The brewery has become a popular detour for those traveling to the beach and because of the success, expansion is coming. Staff photo by Mitchell Northam RAR recently purchased a building right around the corner from the brewery that will house operations for canning its craft brews. 'We're about two weeks away from that building being ready,' Brohawn said. 'Our expansion is right around the corner, and eventually we would like to take over the whole corner. I don't see us ever leaving this place.'

Nov 16, 2018 - Bob Rauch, CEO and president of RAR Hospitality, spoke with LODGING. Home People Checking In Bob Rauch of RAR Hospitality Shares. But all three are on my mind: cyber terrorism, global terrorism of any sort, and trade war. I don't see any of the fundamentals in the economy that are going to take.

As long as Brohawn, Merryweather and Mills' brewery is there, locals and visitors will always have a reason to visit downtown Cambridge. 'RAR is what brought me back to Cambridge before I started working here,' said Ryan Liszewski, an Eastern Shore resident and RAR employee. 'I love trying new beers, and when I heard there was a brewery here I had to come check it out. RAR is what really sold me. 'Now I know about all the other great businesses and restaurants that are within walking distance from here.'

Old Cambridge nostalgia RAR started in August 2013, but the owners needed a building. Brohawn and Merryweather began looking around, but didn't venture too far away from their hometown. Both graduates of Cambridge-South Dorchester High School, Brohawn in 1999 and Merryweather in 2001, they wanted to brew close to home. 'Being in downtown Cambridge was the only option,' Brohawn said. 'I would have never done this if it was somewhere else.' Staff photo by Mitchell Northam The third building that they came across sparked feelings of nostalgia for Brohawn. It was at 504 Poplar St.