Universal City, Texas – A Universal City veteran with a business vision overcame obstacles in his way and is now gearing up for the grand opening of his new brewery.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael Ferrer has been busy turning an old building into a place for friends and neighbors to come together.
“This is a culture that we want to establish in the local community, and this is a place where they can come together,” said Voller, owner of Gather Brewing Co.
Fourteen months after discussing his plans with KSAT, his vision is now a reality. A former U.S. Coast Guard cook, he has turned his passion for food and newfound hobby of brewing into one of Universal City's newest businesses.
“We want (patrons) to not only have a meal and a beer, but also a full stomach. Of course that will happen, but they feel like they've gotten something out of being here,” Voller said. he said.
Ferrer's road to its grand opening has come with several challenges, including rising business costs, February's winter storm and staffing shortages, as well as the pandemic. Just to name a few:
“The pivot probably happened in a situation where we needed to cut costs and come up with a different way of doing something, but the level of excellence that we aspire to had to be met,” Ferrer said. .
While the main attraction is the brewery, he says he wants to surprise people with a unique menu that includes Korean-inspired dishes.
“Everything we've put into food, the goal has been to give people something they've never had before, but that they're going to love,” Voller said.
The brewery is new to the city and surrounding area.
“I've been waiting a long time to have local beer in Universal City,” said new customer Doug Duesenberry.
Customers say it lives up to the hype.
“The whole gathering thing is very appealing, right? I mean, sometimes when you go to a bar it can be very loud, but you know where you can hang out and have conversations with your friends and family. It's very attractive,” Dusenberry added.
The aim is to add to the city's overall master plan to transform the surrounding area into a walkable food, shopping and drinking destination.
“I love interacting with customers. Seeing them enjoying their beer and seeing them connect like this. The long tables in the beer garden here are perfect for (patrons) ) are connecting with new friends they didn't know they would meet that night,” Ferrer said.
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