Help Protect Our “Cheers”— Sweet Sippin’

Hi, I’m Bri — a regular at Sweet Sippin’, a local business owner, and someone who deeply believes in protecting the places that hold our community together. I’m organizing this fundraiser alongside a few other Sweet Sippin’ regulars who care about this space as much as I do.

This isn’t coming from the owner, it’s coming from the community that calls this place home.

If you’ve been in the bar recently, you’ve probably noticed the caution tape and the not-so-subtle slope in the floor. Sweet Sippin’ is dealing with a serious foundation issue in the building, and repairs can’t be postponed any longer. Because of this, the bar will be closed for at least four weeks while the landlord completes the work.

Here’s the hard part: insurance is covering none of the lost income or expenses.

Even with the doors closed, costs don’t stop. Julie has cut expenses as far as possible and will be taking no income, but Sweet Sippin’ still needs to cover close to $15,000 in fixed expenses, including continuing to pay their one employee, because taking care of people has always been part of how this place operates.

If you know Julie, you know that she regularly gives to her community.

She has consistently opened Sweet Sippin’ free of charge to support local business owners, community networking groups, celebrations, and events. She has sponsored bike teams raising money for Alzheimer’s awareness, hosted fundraisers for other causes, and created a space where community initiatives could exist without barriers.

Julie has also continued to book high-quality live music and pay musicians fair, market rates, even on nights that meant operating at a loss — because supporting artists and valuing their work matters.

This closure comes after an already challenging year for small venues in South Carolina. Rising insurance costs tied to what you might have heard called the Venue Crisis has forced many beloved spaces to close. Sweet Sippin’ has stayed open through commitment, values, and community support.

They’re doing everything they can to bridge the gap during the closure including limited bottle sales and small porch parties when possible but November and December, months they hoped would help stabilize things, have been unusually slow.

That’s where we come in.

If Sweet Sippin’ has ever been the place you met a friend, launched an idea, celebrated a milestone, or felt like you belonged, this is a chance to help protect that space.

We also recognize that this year has been hard for many people. If giving isn’t possible right now, sharing this fundraiser or offering words of encouragement means just as much. And if you can give, please know that no amount is too small — every contribution truly helps.

For those who want to contribute in a bigger way, we’re also creating a Sweet Sippin’ Inner Circle, which includes permanent recognition inside the bar and an invitation to a thank-you celebration once the bar reopens this spring.

Thank you for supporting small businesses, local music, and the places that quietly hold communities together.

Let’s take care of the places that take care of us.

— Bri, Mary, Davis, and the rest of the gang!

Final Note: Any funds received that aren't needed for expenses will be donated to "Let there be Mom" - a local non profit whose mission supports families enduring unthinkable losses.