Fifth Street Brewpub Taps its 250th Member in Only 10 Days!

Fifth Street Brewpub’s membership drive is off to a blazing start. Ohio’s first cooperatively owned brewpub, which will open in the historic inner east district of downtown Dayton, signed its first member via its website  on June 26^th and its 250^th less than two weeks later. The community-minded, volunteer group that founded the brewpub has created a co-op business model that offers one share per person for $100 each. All owners, including the founders, own an equal share of the brewpub.

“Two hundred member-owners in 10 days with minimal promotion shows that beer lovers like the co-op concept and the idea of owning their own brewpub,” said Maureen Barry, Membership Director, Fifth Street Brewpub. “This is an idea that is sweeping the nation. Based on this pace of 20 new members per day, we have upgraded our goal to 500 members by July 31.”

All member-owners that join by July 31 are considered “Charter Members” and receive perks including 20-ounce pours for the price of a 16-ounce beer. In addition, their membership card will say Charter Member and they will have their names memorialized on the walls of the pub.

The 200th member of Fifth Street Brewpub is Erin Flanagan, an associate professor in the Department of English Language and Literatures at Wright State University. “I grew up in the 1980s watching the television show Cheers. Owning this neighborhood bar is like a dream come true,” said Flanagan, who recruited four other member-owners including her sister and brother-in-law who live in California. Flanagan and her sister, Kelly Hansen, also purchased a gift membership for their father, Ken Flanagan who lives in Winter, Wisconsin.

Gift memberships have been very popular and the Fifth Street Brewpub Board of Directors expects that to continue. Brian Young, Founding Board Member says, “Everyone has a friend or family member that loves beer. Buy a membership for them as a gift and since we are one of only four co-op brewpubs in the country, there’s a very good chance it will be the most unique gift they have ever received.”

The July charter membership drive includes two beer socials and marketing via Facebook, Twitter and the Fifth Street website. Buy personal or gift memberships at www.FifthStreet.coop. You may either download an application to mail with a check, or use PayPal to buy a membership online. You can also purchase a membership in person by attending a beer social July 14 from 3-5 pm or July 21 from 6-8 pm at 1600 East Fifth Street, Dayton.

To compliment the membership drive, Fifth Street Brewpub also has an investor’s initiative, with investment levels as low as $1000. Higher levels of $3000 and $5000 are available and bring other benefits, including naming your own beer at the $5000 plus level.

Fifth Street Co-op was formed in June by a group of community-minded beer lovers to open the Fifth Street Brewpub in the St. Anne’s Hill historic district of Dayton to beautify the neighborhood, provide jobs and create a friendly restaurant and pub. Become a member-owner now or learn more at www.FifthStreet.coop.