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Main Street Reimagined Podcast
This is a podcast for dreamers, creators, developers, and entrepreneurs to learn, share, and be inspired to change your community through small business.
Main Street Reimagined Podcast
Episode 22: Connecting People & Stories Through Historic Transformation with Lily Lloyd & Sophie Johnston
What does it take to transform a historic building into a vibrant cocktail lounge that tells a story with every sip? Join us on the Main Street Reimagined Podcast as we explore this journey with the creative minds behind Fable Bar & Co, Lily Lloyd & Sophie Johnston. These Marion natives have woven their artistic family legacy into the very fabric of this unique space, from a stunning mural to a lively disco ball that beckons patrons to connect and share their tales. Discover how their vision for Fable Bar Co is reshaping downtown Marion, turning an old icon into a hub of community and storytelling.
From the bustling streets of Columbus to the vibrant culture of Guatemala, Sophie and Lily charted diverse paths before returning to their roots. Hear their stories of personal growth and how a shared passion for community revitalization - instilled by Marion Downtown Matriarch Lois Fisher, their grandmother- brought them back home. They, along with Lily’s husband, James, found a purpose in breathing life back into the family-owned Whitey's building, contributing to Marion’s development. Through their trials and triumphs, they highlight the irreplaceable sense of belonging that only a hometown can offer, proving that sometimes the most meaningful impact is made right where you started.
Renovating a historic building isn't easy, but with community support and a shared mission, anything is possible. Sophie, Lily, and James open up about the hurdles of entrepreneurship and how they've navigated these challenges with resilience and family support. As they collaborate with neighboring businesses, they're not just creating a bar—they're fostering a vibrant downtown culture that welcomes all. Tune in to hear how Fable Bar & Co is contributing to Marion's downtown revitalization and learn how you can be a part of this exciting journey.
Guest Links:
Facebook: facebook.com/Fablebarandco
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Henry Development Group:
Facebook: facebook.com/henrydevelopmentgroup
Website: www.henrydevelopmentgroup.com
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Luke Henry:
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#FableBarAndCo #DowntownMarion #SistersInBusiness #FamilyLegacy #MarionRevitalization #EntrepreneurshipJourney #SmallTownBigDreams #WomenInBusiness #SupportLocalBusiness #CommunityConnections #HistoricDowntowns #DreamBigWorkHard #PassionToProfit #CreativeEntrepreneurs #SmallBusinessSuccess #BuildingVision #InspiringStories #DowntownExpansion #SmallBusinessJourney #LoveYourCity
Why not stay and help our own community and be with our own family? So that was kind of the switch we made in mentality, like you know what, this is where we actually belong, this is where we feel at home and where we're close to everyone we love.
Speaker 3:This is the Main Street Reimagined podcast, a show for people ready to turn visions into realities and ideas into businesses. Hey, I'm Luke Henry and each week I lead conversations with Main Street Dreamers who took the leap to launch a business, renovate a building or start a movement, their ideas, their mindsets and their inspirations, as well as some of the highs and lows along the way. This is a place for dreamers, creators, developers and entrepreneurs to learn, share and be inspired to change your community through small business. Enjoy the show. Hey everyone, this is the Main Street Reimagined Podcast. I'm Luke Henry. Thanks so much for being with us this week. This is episode 22, and I am excited to have two ladies in the studio with me today. Owner of Fable, the newest hotspot in downtown Marion. So if folks haven't yet been into your establishment, tell us a little bit about what they'll find there and what it is.
Speaker 2:So Fable Bar Co takes place in the old Whitey's building. So if you know that location and we are a cocktail lounge with craft cocktails, craft beers on tap and canned and bottled. We have some NA options as well and we're really just trying to create a really big, open, inviting space so you can host or you can just come and grab a drink and enjoy with anyone else in our community.
Speaker 1:I think, most importantly, there's a disco ball there.
Speaker 3:That's my favorite part. Indeed, we should have led with that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, actually yeah.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it is a really great space and Whitey's is a fabled place. I guess I never had the pleasure of being there when it was Whitey's, but longstanding establishment. So Leah Lamb was just on our last podcast of course your business neighbor there and she was talking about that. Her whatever great grandfather was Whitey Lamb that started it and back in the day it was. She didn't tell this part on air, but that it was like the railroad would stop there and let people off and that was kind of their first first little gateway into Marion and there was some sleeping rooms upstairs and it was, like, you know, quite a spot. Uh, so I'm sure you've heard that story, probably a lot of others. Uh, for better, for worse, right.
Speaker 1:Yes, Um yeah, maybe a little bit more detailed than I would have liked them to be, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3:So uh, where did the name come from?
Speaker 1:Uh Fable.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Um well, um, so we've kind of talked off air about this, but it's been a whole family project and all of our sisters have been helping. We have two other sisters and our sister Greta. We were so backtracked we were struggling with a name for a while. I can't name anything. All the pets we have.
Speaker 2:I let my husband, james name, I can decorate it and see the vision, but I can't name things.
Speaker 1:And so we're struggling. Everything, all all the pets we have, I let my husband james name like I just I can, I can decorate it and see the vision, but I can't name things. And so we're struggling. Um, and our sister, greta, came up with the name fable. And you're like okay, like yeah, yeah, that's like cool, like one word name, like that's hip. And we started, you know, really, like no one was like super sold, and then we started talking about it and we were like, okay, what is a fable? It's a story, essentially. And you know, what do you do at a bar? You, you tell stories, you share stories, um, and you are a part of our story too. So, um, we and that just kind of ties into wanting it to become like a really welcoming, like engaging place where we can all be a part of each other's story.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, yeah, and such a cool story fable and, and the space itself is, is really neat and really unique, I think, to other places, locally for sure, and even beyond. Uh, tell us a little bit about you know. If somebody hasn't been in, like if they walk in, like what are they going to see? And where did that like inspiration come from?
Speaker 2:Um, I would say like right, when you walk in, it is just a very big, bright, open spot, and a lot of the inspiration behind, like our decor or how we've set things up, have really stemmed from our family members. Like our mother is an artist, all of our sisters are artists, so there's like a mural on the wall that we collaborated on. Like we use design elements that we learned growing up. Throughout all of this it's, I guess, like the first thing I hear customers say is this place is so big, bright and open, like it's, and we just want it to be inviting and warm and welcoming. And I think we've done a pretty decent job at like getting that feeling across and like just a welcoming feeling for our customers in our community. And, like I said, like a lot of it came from like the artistry we grew up with from our family.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, and there's a disco ball.
Speaker 1:And there's a disco ball. Yeah, I think Sophie's being very humble. As soon as you walk in, on the patio side to your left is a giant plant wall.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and Sophie, literally we were like we want you know we want plants in here.
Speaker 1:How are we? As you walk in, on the patio side to your left is a giant plant wall. Yeah, and sophie, literally we're like we want, you know, we want plants in here. How are we going to do that? There's not a lot of shelving, and so we were talking about it with our dad and my husband, james, and, um, like, what can we do? So you know, sophie, one day she just drew a picture. It's like I want this wall so we can put our plants in it. So soph, sophie drew the design to this wall and my dad, our dad, built it.
Speaker 1:And so it's just like one of those small elements, but you walk in and you see, like so we did all the posters hanging up of our drinks and the little accents. Honestly, she's really the artist.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, I mean it's very obvious that there's a you know, a high degree of artistic influence in the space, and so to hear the story of how that all came to be is super cool. I mean, it is like so bright, the plants just bring a completely unique element and just the exposed brick and then you have a lot of white or you know light colors, and so, again, that's not like what people generally think of as what you see when you walk in a bar and, and particularly with this space, uh being what it was, uh, it's like, I think, just such a stark contrast to what it once was, which was sort of, I mean, can we say like kind of a day drinking dive bar. I mean, is that how we would describe it? I think?
Speaker 1:it was actually open 24 hours a day, somehow. But yes, yes.
Speaker 3:So, yeah, you know kind of dark, dingy, smoky, other smells as well. From what I understand from you guys, that took a lot to eradicate. Yes, yeah, and some surprises that we maybe don't want to share, things that you found along the way, but what it is now so bright and airy and lively, lively is really neat. So you've created something really special there and I think that it's worth mentioning that. Well, I'll ask you. I mean so your family has deep roots in the downtown. So tell us, tell that story and you know how, from your grandmother Lois to you know down through your generation, like what it's been growing up with, I think you know an affinity and love for the downtown and a vision and a belief for what it can be that you guys probably had before. A lot of people did that you guys probably had before.
Speaker 1:A lot of people did. Yeah, I'll start Growing up my grandma from, like my conscious memory was always downtown and out and about and she lived right downtown. Everyone knows the loft.
Speaker 3:Yes, of course, we miss it every day.
Speaker 1:But you know, it was really cool seeing that and seeing it through her eyes Because even as, like a young, younger person, I always thought downtown was cool, Like I always saw her vision and was like you know, this is a cool place. Not even this could be a cool place Like this is a cool place.
Speaker 1:Because that's what I was. Like that's what we were told and shown. Like we got to see the behind the scenes of a lot of projects and, like you know, a glimpse into the future of, like you know what, what she saw, what the community saw. So it was really cool. You know, kind of never really like when someone would talk poorly about downtown. You know way back when before it was a happening spot. Like what are you talking about?
Speaker 3:like I don't like.
Speaker 1:So it was nice to see it through those eyes and kind of always be excited for the downtown area. Um, and you know she's she's been working in marion, for I honestly, like I've heard all of her stories. I can't put a timeline to it because it's just like it's always been been happening before you were born, yeah. Well before Um.
Speaker 1:So yeah, she's obviously been a huge inspiration and mentor to us and that, I think, has leaked down through the generations you know her daughters, her granddaughters, um, we've all kind of been a part of that and seen that vision, um, and it's really, you know, it has shaped us yeah yeah, I mean truly like it's like growing up having like, obviously like our mother and our aunts, but especially like our grandma as well, just be these strong, independent women.
Speaker 2:It's been like it. Like you said, it shaped us like uh, across the board and like to touch on downtown like I remember, like you said, growing up and visiting the loft, like my friends in like third grade would ask if they could spend the night there, and so like we just have such good memories associated with downtown marion growing up and to see it like be revitalized and like reaching its full potential and still so up and coming is just so lovely. Like getting to see what we always like knew it could be and we're told it could be in everything and it's happening and we're. It's just really nice, I would say.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I love that so much. I was just sort of moved as you were talking like thinking about what the downtown looks like through my kids eyes. You know, I mean as we've been working in downtown for now six plus years and you know they started out pretty young watching the process and you know, just for out pretty young watching the process and you know, just for listeners to kind of connect all of the dots here. So so their grandmother, lois Fisher, who they're talking about, really was the, the matriarch of downtown Marion, and started off doing projects, you know, really simply and incrementally, many years ago. Yeah, I'm not sure of the exact date either, but you know, forever ago.
Speaker 3:And what's really cool is that I, a few years ago, bought Lois's very first building that she ever bought in the downtown and she worked there as part of the law firm for a period of time and then was able to buy the building and fixed it up and did some projects there and, you know, worked down the street with some others and went on to buy some other buildings from Lois and I feel like part of the story you know, of you guys' family as well.
Speaker 3:I feel connected to you through that because of, and Lois and I have had many of these conversations where it's like she sort of took things to a point and then handed off the baton and you know, we've been able to take them to another iteration, I think, and you, ladies, are doing the exact same thing with the project that you're working on, and you know. So we haven't talked about the fact that Lily, you and James bought the building as well and you're living there and are, you know, have some other projects on the horizon that we can maybe talk about as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, right now talk about as well.
Speaker 3:So, yeah, yeah, Right now. Well, let's, let's, let's, let's rewind a little bit. Let's rewind so that people kind of get the full story. We're kind of given bits and pieces, but I wanted to kind of like draw that, you know kind of the big picture story and how everything fits together, and you know our stories kind of overlap through Lois. But tell a little bit about each of you. You talked a little bit about your growing up, but I mean a little more about you know, growing up here in Marion, and then you kind of ping-ponged around the world for a while and then landed back here and talk a little bit about why you did that, and just all of that. So, Sophie, you want to start that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I can tell you right now it's not going to be as interesting as the story.
Speaker 2:But yeah, we grew up in Marion, kind of like here and there in different neighborhoods, super involved with downtown stuff, watching that happen. And then when I was 18, after kind of trying to figure out where I want to go, and I did graduate during the pandemic. So it definitely threw me a little bit off course and I would say that that really shaped like my decisions today. Like I had a plan and then that was again thrown off course and, um, I went to OSUM and then I moved to Columbus and, uh, I went to OSU for a little bit main campus and then I actually went to CCAD, the college of design and art, columbus college of design and art and, um, kind of figuring out where I fit, what felt right and I don't know. Like I again had a lot of inspiration, I had a lot of dreams and a lot of pathways and I just didn't know, like where to go. I was really lost and again I think that my footing was just a little bit misplaced with the pandemic Everyone's was.
Speaker 3:Oh yeah, I can imagine.
Speaker 2:And again I'm jumping ahead a little bit, but when this project was presented it was like the first time. It felt right and it felt like everything leading up to this moment of like growing up downtown seeing what was like possible, seeing like having the mentorship of our grandmother, having the inspiration from her mother, like taking something and creating a whole new world with it and then going to different universities and learning little pieces about business and about arts and like fine arts and everything. It was a very wild ride to get me here and I lived in Columbus after 18 until about five, six months ago, I think. Yeah, and it's been a wild ride and I wouldn't trade anything in Again, it's just Marion and Columbus. I wouldn't trade anything in again, it's it's just Marion and Columbus. You'll hear a little bit more about the world, but yeah.
Speaker 2:I've been really grateful for every confusing step of the way.
Speaker 3:Yeah, looking back, yeah, we're glad to have you back here and using your talents and sharing those with the local community, so, yeah, so, lily, how about your story?
Speaker 1:Well, born and raised in Marion, you know, went to school here, went to OSUM, did the whole thing and, of course, what does every angsty teen want to do but to get out of their hometown? So that is what I tried, my darndest to do. Um, you know, obviously I'd, you know, getting keep getting sucked back here and there, but it just never felt right. Um, until, um, me and James, um, we lived in Columbus for a little bit. Then the pandemic hit and, um, we, we said, well, we are both not working at the time because we weren't allowed to get go into our workplaces. So we were like, well, how can we, how can we make an impact? How can we help? Um? And so we kind of threw a dart, if you will, and, uh, decided to pack up and move to Guatemala to volunteer. So we were volunteering there in Guatemala for a little bit and you know we loved it. We were there for about eight months and you know we said, okay, how can we get back here? Like that's our number one goal, like we want to live here full time, you know. So when we were packing up to leave and, you know, finally going home, we were devastated and we were like, okay, we need something that we can, you know, make money on and be able to manage from afar. Obviously, our family is in real estate. It only made sense.
Speaker 1:We moved back to Marion and we were looking and looking and looking for, you know, we were thinking like housing, like renovating houses or, you know, rentals or whatever. And um, uh, my grandma had purchased the Whitey's building from Danny and so we were kind of helping her and she was teaching us, showing us you know what to do. And um, my grandma was like I, what am I doing? I moved out of downtown. I don't, I don't want to do this again. Um, the family had been super involved already in the building. So she kind of offered it up and you know, she's who who wants it, who who wants it.
Speaker 1:And me and James were like this is what we've been looking for. So we bought it from her and we're doing all these renovations. We said why are we trying to move away again? Like, why are we trying to leave our community to help a community that you know we don't have any ties to or any like emotional? I mean, we did at that point, but you know, like, why not stay and help our own community and be with our own family. So that was kind of the switch we made um in mentality, like you know what? This is where we actually belong, this is where we feel at home and we're close to everyone we love. So that's long story short. I won't bore you with the other details, but yeah, that's, that's how we ended up back and married and how we ended up loving it.
Speaker 3:Yeah yeah, and we skipped over the part that you told me a little bit before that you and James were living downtown each, and that's where you met. Yes, in the Flying Fish building which I now own.
Speaker 1:Again, that was a transition.
Speaker 3:So you guys lived in those apartments and he came knocking on your door offering a gift and trying to get to know you a little bit.
Speaker 1:Yes, Very James. He brought me a tray of brownies, knocked on my door and said hey, I'm your neighbor now. So it was yes.
Speaker 3:Yeah, Love that story. So, yeah, and James and I met many years ago, I think, when he was at the library. We did Leadership, Marian, together with the chamber, and then, of course, you came back and worked at the chamber for a spell. So again, so many, like you know, in a small community. I just love all the you know overlapping things. And then one day I look up and I was like, oh, they're together. I didn't realize that. But, yeah that's cool.
Speaker 3:And here you are and you're back and you're doing some great work. So I love hearing those backgrounds. So thanks for sharing that for my benefit and for listeners as well. Just kind of hearing how these long and winding roads often do lead back home, which is really fascinating.
Speaker 3:I agree that you know there's I'm hearing a lot of these stories and it seems like more and more like people that wanted to get away from Marion and then, you know, they get to a certain point in their lives. Maybe they're just kind of want to settle down, maybe they're having kids or whatever, and they're like gosh, like I actually like had it really good. You know, there's actually a lot to love in Marion and especially if you have family in the area, it's like yeah, this is home, and so it sounds like that's a lot how your stories have kind of landed for, at least for the time being here. So that's great. So then, lily, you guys had this opportunity with the building. You decided to make your residence there, and then how did this whole process of because I know it's funny, you mentioned Lois was kind of like what?
Speaker 3:am I doing anyway, because she was selling me buildings, because she wanted to get out of the business. And then she goes and buys another project.
Speaker 1:She can't help herself. Yeah, I know.
Speaker 3:I know I can't either. It is kind of like a little bit of a sickness. You just keep buying old buildings until you die. That's what I told my wife. But yeah, so I mean I know that when I talked with her at some point she was like I don't know what's going to become of, you know, james and lily. They're, you know, kind of interested, but they're not quite sure what they, you know, want to do with it either. So you know, tell us a little more about that, that whole process of deciding and how you landed on what it is, and then how you pulled sophie into the picture and all of that, uh.
Speaker 1:So we obviously bought the building and we just picked up where we left off and started um kept going with renovations. Uh, we knew that we wanted to live there, so we first focused on the apartment upstairs. There's, uh, three apartments up there that we're renovating, um, and we kind of finished the first one. It's not totally finished. We did a you know, six month job-month job cleaning it up and figuring out what we wanted with it, and then we're like, okay, well, now we've got to start making money, so let's work on the bar. So we started working on the bar and we were cleaning it up. James brags every day that he filled up 23 dumpsters from just the bar area of stuff that's bar, area of stuff.
Speaker 2:There was a lot of stuff, yeah.
Speaker 1:So and there was no heat, it was freezing, whatever Small details. But we were renovating and cleaning out and we just started the renter process too early, like we were trying to find a renter for the Whiteys, and it was just in total disarray. It was obviously from our work that we were doing and cleaning it out. It gets dirtier before it gets cleaner. The smell, yeah, and so we would bring people in with these great ideas and they were like, oh no.
Speaker 1:Thank you for showing me, but no, I'm okay. So we were kind of stumped on what to do and I remember the moment that we decided to do this. We were um, I was still working in the chamber and James was my chauffeur.
Speaker 1:We were driving around and dropping off chamber directories and we were talking, we were just like I mean, it's obviously you know, it's all consuming, it's all you talk about. And so we're like you know what? You know, the renter options are drying up, blah, blah, blah. And we were sitting in the Hessler's parking lot and James turns to me and he just says what, what are we thinking Like, why don't you open a bar? Like you know what we're doing. You're doing like you've been in the service industry, like you've managed, blah, blah, blah. Like you know, your sisters have all been in the service industry and it was just kind of like an aha moment and it was like, oh my God, like you're you're right, and so I.
Speaker 1:sorry chamber, I took a couple of minutes in the hustler's parking lot on the clock and called my family and I just went down the line and called everyone and I was waiting for someone to kind of like you know, tell me no.
Speaker 1:Like what are you talking about? This is crazy. And every single person said yes, yes, yes, yes. And I asked like who wants to be involved, like who's willing? And everyone said that they would contribute what they could. And it just like hit me like okay, this could happen. And that's where Sophie comes into the picture. Do?
Speaker 2:you want to take it away? Yeah, so I remember again, like like the specific moment that I got that phone call, I was, it woke me up I was, so the chamber operates early um, and I get this phone call and again I'm living in columbus.
Speaker 2:We're going on three years I'm living with my boyfriend and we have very deep roots set in Columbus. And I get this call in the morning from Lily and I answer and she could tell I just woke up and that didn't stop her. She tells me and she's like I like we have this building, we can't rent it out, like I want to open a bar, and I was like, oh, congratulations. And she was like no, I want you to help me open the bar. And it was the fastest, easiest yes I have ever given, like also a little bit not thought out. Um, I get, I had just woken up, but it was a moment and I, I like I.
Speaker 2:There was just something that it was like oh, this makes sense. Like nothing like I had said earlier had made sense, and the first time that you brought it to me it just was like okay, yeah, I'm going to move to Marion in a couple months, We'll be there. Let me finish up my lease. And then I hung up. And then my boyfriend wakes up and he's like who was that? And I'm like, oh, I need to tell you what's going on now.
Speaker 3:Taking a hard left.
Speaker 2:Yeah, exactly, and I mean truly like. He has been amazing. I told him and I just confirmed that I would be involved and he was so supportive from the second it happened and he packed everything up with me and he was born and raised in Columbus and he packed up his whole life and my whole life. We said goodbye to our friends and we moved back and he actually commutes an hour every single day because his job is still in Columbus. He works at a nonprofit and he will get off of a shift, a 10 hour shift, drive an hour back and then help us close the bar.
Speaker 2:He has been so supportive and it's just like a small glimpse of everyone that we have involved or asked to be involved or told them about what we're doing, has been so supportive and truly, it's just like funny that he didn't really have much of a say. He was just like, okay, we're doing this now, this is fun. And it was it just everything worked out. It was like it clicked with him too, like, oh, this is what you're supposed to do and this is where we're going to be now. And there was no ifs, ands or buts Like we. We had small doubts along the way, but it was, it was done, we were doing it and yeah, he's, he's very happy living in Marion.
Speaker 2:I was really scared bringing a city boy back to my hometown and he loves it, aside from the commute that can be hard on anyone. But he truly I mean I think has been looking into nonprofits around Marion as well to maybe shift career path. That's maybe a stretch. I know he loves his job but I'm pushing.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's really awesome. I love that story and it is interesting. I mean, if there's one thing that I've heard on every single podcast interview that I've done, it's the importance of a supportive family on these ventures, because it is not a solo endeavor or a two-person endeavor. I mean it is a whole family kind of all-consuming endeavor and everyone has to be on board and so it can really strain relationships sometimes when that support is not there or whatever. But it sounds like you've found great alignment. But it sounds like you've found great alignment and so it's also interesting to me to hear, like, the outside perspective of someone who's come here from Columbus, which we're seeing more and more, more often and more often. I mean I've told the story, I think on another podcast, that I mean our last five people that have leased apartments downtown are all from out of town you know, coming from Delaware, franklin or Union County, you know so bigger, bigger areas to to us here in Marion.
Speaker 3:But what is he? You know you said he loves it. I mean what? What are some of the impressions that he's gotten and kind of some of the things that he's said that he's really enjoyed with the change of pace here?
Speaker 2:the things that he's said that he's really enjoyed with the change of pace here. Yeah, I mean, I think everything is on. It's like a city, but on a much smaller scale and with much more community involvement, like he loves. Again, we were in Columbus, we were on campus, off campus, we lived in Bexley for a little bit and it's just so much bigger and you can. Some places are walkable but you don't know who you're walking past and I think that he's slowly. He came into Marion as a stranger and he's slowly starting to learn faces and recognize people and he loves that. The restaurant we go to, bar A's- we now see the owner at the bar.
Speaker 2:Like he loves that. He's getting to know people and he's feeling involved. He loves living downtown. We live at the harding center actually our harding hotel and, um, he loves that he can walk to the remnant and get coffee, that we can walk to shops up and down at spruce and sparrow or the foxglove hollow, like he loves that you can bar hop and it's all a walk away and you know the people that you're walking in.
Speaker 2:It's just such a more personal experience and I think that's kind of really what he's loving. He's always been a little bit of a city boy and I think he was scared about moving down to my hometown, but downtown is just a completely different feel than what it was and I think that's truly what he's enjoying the most about it.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, thanks for thanks for sharing that. I mean, that's that's what we're all working towards is is to create that inviting place that kind of has the bigger city amenities, but with you know that like hometown, you know, like cheers, vibe, right when it's like you know you go places and you see people you know and you genuinely enjoy seeing people that you know and you run into them. You know all over the place.
Speaker 3:So that's awesome. So let's you know, kind of shifting back to the business and getting this off the ground, and so you've been open for a couple of months now.
Speaker 2:right, this is going to be our fourth week, okay, all right A month. One month.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so you've learned a lot in that month. Yes, and you know the time leading up to it. I mean, what are some of the kind of unexpected challenges that you came into, as you, you know, after you said this easy yes and took the leap, uh, now the work begins. So you know what have some of those challenges been?
Speaker 1:Um well, honestly, everything.
Speaker 3:Um.
Speaker 1:I'm sure, as you know, every single small project turns into a big project and it takes, you know, a lot more money or a lot more time than you ever thought it was possible.
Speaker 3:Right, yes, so that resonates deeply.
Speaker 1:You know, it's just. I mean like, for example, like our floors. We did painted the floors with black paint and we're like, okay, this will be easy, We'll just sand the floors in polyam, right? Okay? No, you have to, you know, unbolt everything from the floor, rent the sander, figure out how to use it, sand it horribly about four times until it finally goes through, and then you have to cover everything up to make sure it's not dusty.
Speaker 1:And then you don't get to poly it right away because you're still working. And then when it rains, the rainwater seeps up from the floor cracks and you have to mop up whatever that gunk is you know, so like this like over the weekend project turned into a couple week project and it just seemed like everything we did turned into that.
Speaker 1:Like our bar top um, it was a lot narrower and we just kept on like it was layers of um veneer and we just kept peeling back to try to hopefully find a better piece. And you know, we got to the bare bones of it and there was nothing nothing left, so we had to reinforce it.
Speaker 1:Our grandma came and helped us, like reinforce it and sand it down, and we had to rebuild the bar because we tore it down hoping to find something good and there was nothing there. So, yeah, just truly everything has been unexpected.
Speaker 3:I'd have to say yeah, yeah, I understand, and yet you figured them out one thing at a time. Yes and yeah. Okay, Sophie, anything you would add to that?
Speaker 2:Not much.
Speaker 3:I feel like you, just kind of covered it.
Speaker 2:That was when I was still living in Columbus and Lily would call me up and be like hey, we're going to do a small day project, and then I would be spending the night for a weekend and um, helping with this so-called day project, and it was just like one task turned into 10 and then that turned into tears and it was. I mean, we got through it and we had fun while doing it, but there was moments of distress throughout the entire process so there were some tears, yeah, and like who?
Speaker 3:who steps in with the tear? Like where do the guys go? Do they come and console or do they just know to shrink back and go get food?
Speaker 2:or something. They hit the ground running. They give us an hour and they come back Bearing gifts.
Speaker 1:Bearing gifts, yes, they know to give us our space and then, when we're ready to handle them too, we come back. They're very supportive, they. They are, but they know to just let us be.
Speaker 2:They give you a minute yeah, they can read the levels of like. Okay, I need to either go to the store and get them soda and candy or get them a bottle of wine and then, come back so they've everyone's been awesome, yeah that's great.
Speaker 3:So what about, like, since you've launched? I mean, have there been challenges, you know, with the business itself and you know, or people or processes that have have come up that you didn't expect either?
Speaker 2:um, I feel like there were moments that we had um like, almost so, I guess like our biggest critics throughout all of this were ourselves, and we did have some outside factors coming in, um, and inside doubts as well that were too young, or I mean many women in business go through a overall doubt of if we can do it or whatnot.
Speaker 3:Guys do too yeah.
Speaker 1:Well, thank you, that makes me feel better.
Speaker 2:But I think, like I don't know, I guess it was just like mostly we were doubting ourselves the most and we've never done this before and we both have a combined experience of like 18 years in the service industry. So we were like we can do this once we open. But how do we open? And I'm I mean not a lot of people know this, but I've I'm only 22. So I, my first day of bartending was on our soft open. So there was like that overwhelming doom of I don't know how to do this. And it worked out. I picked it up really quickly but, um, I, yeah, I, I guess just our biggest outside doubts were really just our inside doubts and our inside critics and everything. And it was having to remind her that she can do it and she was having to remind me that I can do it and she was having to remind me that I can do it.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think you would add to that inventory. We still don't have it. Yeah, the week just creeps up so quickly and then orders are due and I think those are my. Our two biggest things are ourselves. Yeah, yeah, it's. I think those are my. Our two biggest things are ourselves, and it's okay.
Speaker 2:Truly yeah.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it's, it's challenging. I mean, I've I've been in the business, you know, for for a time, as part of our downtown projects as well, and I can relate to everything that you're saying. I mean, you know, starting with the doubts and kind of the a lot of things that come up that you don't know how to deal with, is just sort of one thing after another that you feel like you're kind of like building this airplane while it's in flight, Um, but it seems like you're figuring it out one one thing at a time and, uh, you know, overcoming some of those, those doubts, and, um, it seems like, uh, it's been very well received, and so I mean that has to like make you feel very good. Yes, yes.
Speaker 3:So you know, I think that personally, I think that's the sort of like addictive nature of building businesses is like you take this thing from an idea and you turn it into an actual thing and then you put it out there to see if people love it or not and if they do, it's like like the best thing in the world.
Speaker 3:I think that you know that you've have have the knowing that you created this thing and people enjoy it and you're you're providing a backdrop for special moments and occasions, for people and good times and a listening ear. You know someone's had a rough day, or just those, just the opportunities that come with it. So I know you're a little, you know, just just getting into that, getting into that, but I I wish that for you guys, as you continue, that you'll have more and more of those opportunities to to be proud of what you've built and also, uh know that you know you're providing that uh gift to the community that they're able to to come and enjoy with you. So, um, yeah, so you said that you have a gift that you brought, so I've never had to do this segment of the show before where we do like a live gift on air here.
Speaker 3:But I understand you've prepared something, so you want to do that here.
Speaker 2:Do you want to talk about it a little bit while I get it ready there?
Speaker 3:we go.
Speaker 1:She lost the rock paper scissors battle so she has to make it. So, yes, this is don't worry everyone it is an NA version of one of our cocktails. It doesn't pack as much of a punch as it would normally, um, but we started and we thought we would be open by june, so obviously that didn't happen. Uh, we went into late october and, um, our menu is very summery because that was our original recipe.
Speaker 1:So we're looking to do like a winter menu change here soon. And uh, this is going to be one of the uh drinks on our new menu. It's called the minty mocha and it normally has.
Speaker 1:Um, luke, you came in, uh recently to the bar and you got a tiramisu martini, so we figured we'd bring you another sweet treat, because I that's the only drink I know that you like to drink as of right now. So, um, this has normally would have peppermint and mocha schnapps and cream, um, and it's topped with whipped cream. Um, uh, sorry, candy cane sprinkles and um, the equivalent of a thin mint. But as for the sake, right now, um, it is chocolate cream, um milk, peppermint, um syrup, it's just basically any version of the mocktail.
Speaker 3:So I've got to get a little play-by-play here. People are just hearing the clanging. Sophie's brought in this whole little mobile bar setup so she has a cooler with ice. She's got the shakers, strainers, glass and all the garnishes. So if you're not watching this on YouTube, you're missing out. Please don't, You're watching me scramble the laptop version. Tabletop version of the mobile bar here.
Speaker 2:I am going to shake it.
Speaker 3:I don't know how this is going to translate. Go ahead, all the sounds right here on the podcast. The first time, one of a kind experience.
Speaker 2:Hopefully not the last.
Speaker 3:Yeah, hopefully not Future guests. Please take this and know that you can show and tell. You can bring gifts. I think this is a great addition to the podcast here.
Speaker 1:We did debate for quite a while whether to bring you an NA All right.
Speaker 3:I appreciate the NA version. You have a productive day ahead here hopefully so.
Speaker 2:I really don't want to get out of here.
Speaker 3:Getting some whipped cream on top here.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's what that noise is. Yes, well, thank you for narrating.
Speaker 3:Translating the sounds Some candy cane sprinkles now going on. Final garnishes.
Speaker 2:And this is that lovely thin mint cookie.
Speaker 3:We were talking about Okay, there we go.
Speaker 2:Got to work on that one that's beautiful Okay.
Speaker 1:Wait, do you have the napkin?
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, we do have a coaster and a napkin for you, just in case.
Speaker 3:Okay, lovely, I guess I've got the Fable Bar and Co coaster. Very lovely. Thank you, ladies, thank you Cheers.
Speaker 2:You are the first one to try that, especially NA, so feedback is welcome.
Speaker 3:It's very delicious, yeah it um. It tastes like a thin one.
Speaker 1:Wonderful Great.
Speaker 3:Have a little snack, get a little sugar high here. There we go. This is great.
Speaker 2:Thank you. Thank you for humoring us. Yeah, thank you.
Speaker 3:That's great Live demonstration right here on the podcast. So tell me, as I enjoy this here, what some of your vision looks like for the future of Fable. We haven't talked yet, lily, about your other project that you're taking on on North Main Street, you and James, with some additional buildings, and just some of the things that are coming up that you're excited about.
Speaker 1:Yeah, do you want to talk about what we're excited about for Fable and I'll?
Speaker 2:talk about the next.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah Sounds good.
Speaker 2:Do you want to talk about what we're excited about for Fable? And I'll talk about the yeah, yeah, so. So, really, with Fable, like we are a bar, we're also really wanting to cater to events, like we, like we said, both grew up here and there is places to go, but sometimes it felt like there is a lack of things to do, and that's definitely changed in the last year, last couple years actually. But we just want to continue to add to that and we want to create a place where you can host your event or we host people to come to our event and coming up like we have a couple events planned.
Speaker 2:We have have a couple people on board, a lot of collaborations that we want to work with with local neighbors I mean just even a couple people in Columbus that we know, whether we've worked with them in past businesses or friends or my boyfriend's nonprofit People want to help collab and want to help us see grow not only our business but also Marion and um. I guess we're just really looking forward to like, what else can we do to elevate your experience and not just have a bar where you can come and hang out? That's definitely what we want, but have a new space as well to create memories and create stories and whatnot yeah yeah, yeah, we have a couple claps in the book locally.
Speaker 1:I don't want to say anything, I don't want to jinx them or spoil anything, but we have a couple tell us anything too.
Speaker 3:Uh juicy just yet, but uh, definitely something to be excited about. I agree. I think events are just a mainstay with our downtown businesses. I encourage our retail businesses to do them restaurants, drinkeries, coffee shops.
Speaker 3:People love events and I think that, especially as we continue to get the word out and we kind of can continue to get some of the, we have the early adopters, we have some of the you know some of the the mid-stage adopters, but some of them still need kind of a push to come down and check out what all is going on. They maybe are intimidated or or don't know, and so they're not going to stumble in and find you. But if you know, if there's a special event, they may be a little more likely to come in and then be like, wow, this place is really cool. Oh, and look at these other places around here that I never noticed. And then you know that leads to them. Now, you know, being another person, it's like, hey, I didn't think there was that much going on, but, holy smokes, like there's all kinds of stuff going on.
Speaker 3:So, yeah, I love that. So continue, Lily. You got with other things coming down the pike.
Speaker 1:Well, again, we're not going to spoil too much here. But, yeah, me and James are working on renovating the buildings across the street. It is another family affair. My sister owns one and my grandma owns the other one, so we're all kind of collaborating to see what we can do at the spots. We have some ideas that are just on the horizon, um, but our newest um thing that we have going is um, we have the taco central coming into, uh, the old courtyard, the old motown coney dog place, and um, they have been doing a great job with renovations. It's really fresh and bright in there as well. They should be opening up here in a little bit, but they have been great neighbors, very nice. Their menu looks awesome, from what they've told me. So that's what we're really excited about right now is the taco central.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, absolutely that is super exciting. Had a little bit of chat with with Al about some of that stuff and you know they're just wonderful people. They've got experience in the business and a vision for, you know, kind of a new concept and wanted to plant that flag in downtown Marion, which is super exciting.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 3:And so, yeah, excited for them to get that launched. I saw that they got their Sunday sales ballot issue passed, and so that was a big piece for them, and so moving right along, yeah.
Speaker 2:We're excited, I'm very excited.
Speaker 1:That block is going to be between all of us. It's going to be cool In Shovel City. It's going to be a nice little bar hop.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I love being next to Shovel City, yeah.
Speaker 1:It's great yeah.
Speaker 3:Yeah, absolutely. And again, I mean Lee and I talked about this on the last episode where it's just like all of these businesses that you would think are sort of like in competition instead are looking at areas of collaboration.
Speaker 3:You know, I see it with retailers or you know, and you know those that have like the bars. I mean, everybody's like working together and you know, I think from the outside people might be like, well, why would you help each other? You're kind of like you know, know, maybe putting yourself out of business, and it's like, no, we're, you know we're better together when we're working on these things and like each really like playing to our strengths, yes, and we can let them be totally authentic and awesome at what they're doing, and then we can come in and fill this gap that is really true to our passions and and what we think, that know, something that can be different and maybe appeals to a different group of people.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 3:You know, because we want the downtown to be for everyone and you know that includes a broad array of different interests and preferences and tastes, and all of that.
Speaker 2:So that's great. And we always say, too, like we obviously, obviously poured so much heart, soul, passion, all of this into our project, but none of it would have been possible if it weren't for our neighbors that did it first. We would have a fraction of our success if people like you and like Shovel, and like Leah and Marce, and like Ken and Kilt did not lay the groundwork for us to come in. Like truly, we are extremely grateful for our neighbors and for our community for creating this space that we get to add to yeah, truly.
Speaker 3:Yeah Well, I feel the same way, that you know that I don't want to try to go it alone by any means, you know, and so I think we all need one another working together and trying to row in the same direction, you know, towards a brighter future, and you know, if we can be aligned on that vision and then each working in our own lanes, like you know that's a.
Speaker 3:That's a beautiful thing and I think it's going to help get us there much more quickly and also a lot better in the end. You know, having multiple people with multiple gifts like working towards these different things so super cool.
Speaker 3:I love hearing that vision and what you're working on, and I'm excited for some of those announcements coming down the pike and you know that you are really, you know, much like we did, you know, starting out on South main street, are really kind of adopting that same you know block mentality on North main street to, you know, really focus and create more of like a district than just you know kind of a one-off thing here and then three blocks away there's something else going on, like in order to really get the momentum. You know, we saw a lot of success with South Main, kind of having things in a more compact area.
Speaker 3:And so you know you're really doing the same thing, which, yeah, I'm super excited about.
Speaker 3:Thank, you To have you guys as downtown partners and again, just all the overlapping pieces of our stories and families and everything I think are going to make for a great story in the future as well. So that's super cool. So, you know, as you're kind of looking back on this experience, hopefully this has been kind of fun for you to recount a little bit. Uh, you know what it's been like and working together on all of this. But if, if, if you were talking with, uh, someone like you who was considering taking a leap into a venture but they had doubts and they had some fears around it or they didn't think that they could figure everything out, like what would you tell somebody like that?
Speaker 1:Do it.
Speaker 2:I love it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, I mean, we're all. We all have the same feelings Like it's terrifying. We don't know if you can do it Self-doubt. Everything we've talked about, um, and you know we a huge part of it was, you know we it does take a village. If you don't have that village and you're looking to do something like this, especially in downtown Marion, um, you know you can create your own village like seriously come to Sophie and I.
Speaker 1:If you, james, if you need advice, help. Um, I think I heard I was listening to Emily's podcast and she said the same thing, which I thought was really awesome Like everyone that I've talked to has been super, super helpful, like again, like shovel city has been giving us advice.
Speaker 1:Um, we have, um, all our old um places where we used to work in Columbus. Like used to work at the Edison, she used to work at fourth and state. They've literally driven down to help, you know, with the space. You know, oh, I don't know how to work my keg reader.
Speaker 3:Come on, they'll come on Like menu collaborations.
Speaker 1:So even if you don't have that family core or that, like you know that family structure, you family core or that, like you know that family structure, you can create your own family and nobody is going to shoot you down. And if they do, you know, just move on to the next person, because there's always going to be a supportive person. Um, and that's really like I think the core of all of it, um, is your support, yeah.
Speaker 3:Yeah, really really great advice and yeah, I hope that somebody out there is emboldened by hearing that. And you know, hearing your story and what you have worked through and the challenges and the unknowns, and all agree too that it is worth it as well In the end. You know, you learn things about, learn things about yourself, you learn things about each other and you know the family and the support that you really have and you just figure it out.
Speaker 2:And.
Speaker 3:I think are so much better for it. And you know what that leads to. As you get, you know, older and wiser and and continue to iterate is going to be, uh, really great. So you know, I've feel like the old person now. You know saying like I've got a few years on.
Speaker 3:You, uh, you know, and have been at this for a while figuring things out and like still trying to be a student of the game and learn. But it's fun to look back and you know the the hardest things are, what shape you the most and what really develop your character and your resolve to keep doing it day by day, so super cool. Would you have anything to share in terms of, like, a favorite inspirational or educational resource that you leaned on? You know through this experience or otherwise?
Speaker 2:Um, I mean, uh, I would say truly, like I know we've said it a thousand times, but to really get into it, like our family, like um, with Lois and Nick being such great mentors and literally being on speed dial. They have been so helpful and so just thoughtful with everything that they've taught us, and it's not that they just show us how to do it, they teach us how to do it and then do it again and again, like with our, like our dad and our partners, like they use their bare hands to help build us our dream and that is just so inspirational. Like we said what we wanted to do and these people banded together to make it happen. And like our sisters and our mother and our aunts, like I mean like if something wasn't working out or if we needed help, it would literally be like come on, she can she can help fix this and it was like everything we knew growing up, but to have it just truly like put to the test and like it was inspiring.
Speaker 2:It was like every single person in our family, like younger or older, was our mentor and just truly inspiring. And like we, I love working in a place where I can look around and see. Like you know, my mom made this cocktail and my sister helped us do this and it's our sister's name that she chose on the building. Our grandparents helped us do this. Our dad built that. Our partners did this. Like we get to work in a place that we built and we had the most inspirational people in our lives help us do it.
Speaker 2:And then, aside from that, we would watch YouTube how to like work a nail gun or like how to hang drywall or something, so a little bit of everything honestly, but I would say it was like our family we're our biggest mentors through all of this.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, yeah, well said, well said, so yeah, well. Thank you again for coming on and for telling this story and I look forward to much success for you and more good things coming down the pike. I can only imagine you know, the next time we sit down, maybe, what all you'll have figured out and learned and expanded at that time.
Speaker 2:Thank you. Thank you so much for hosting us.
Speaker 3:This has been so fun A first time truly but we loved it.
Speaker 2:Yes, A first time truly, but we loved it yes.
Speaker 1:So if someone hasn't yet been in to Fable, tell them where they can find you, where they can keep up on your upcoming events and all of that stuff.
Speaker 1:Usually if I say the old whiteys that pretty much everyone knows. But, just in case, we are located at 119 West Huber Street, right across the train tracks from Shovel City. We do have a Facebook and Instagram. We have an email at sayhelloatfableco. We do have a phone number, but our phone doesn't have voicemail yet. So, if you have any questions, voicemail yet. So, if you have any questions, probably, um, you know, socials or email would be best to get hold of us. But, yeah, we're here waiting for you guys to come in and we're excited to serve you and make you laugh and make you feel like you're part of the family. So, yeah, yeah yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3:And like we talked about on Leah's and Shearside by Side business neighbors. You know the West Huber kind of throws some people off, so it's like North Main Street. Yeah, so it's like kind of behind the Fahey Bank drive-thru.
Speaker 1:Yes, thank you for that. Yes, right, kind of like catty-cornered from the courthouse.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yes, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3:Thank you, catty cornered from the courthouse. Yeah, yes, yeah, yeah, but look for your little sign up there with the rabbit.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 3:And it can also enter through the back.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 3:Right off of the parking lot in the back. So, yes, all right. Well, thanks again for being here. Thanks to our listeners for tuning in. I hope that you found this interview as much fun and enjoyable as what I did, and hopefully you are leaving with some education and some inspiration. If you're somebody that's considering taking the leap, just do it, as the ladies say, and we hope that you'll join us for another upcoming episode of the Main Street Reimagined podcast real soon. Thanks for listening to the Main Street Reimagined podcast. To learn more about Main Street Reimagined Henry Development Group or our work in downtown Marion, ohio, please visit mainstreetreimaginedcom If you want to connect or if you know someone who we need to interview. If you want to connect or if you know someone who we need to interview, shoot us an email at info at MainStreetReimaginedcom. Until next time, keep dreaming and don't be afraid to take the leap.