Midnight Owl Brewing Company

From the moment you walk into Midnight Owl Brewing Company, whether you're a beer maven or not, you'll find your new go-to spot for happy hour, after-dinner drinks, or trivia night. Located on Chagrin Blvd., the space is bright and welcoming, with plenty of table seating if you'd rather sit across from company than beside them at the bar. And the experience begins as soon as you're seated, with the friendly service and variety of options on the menu, offering something for everyone. 

Midnight Owl Brewing Company is a family-owned craft brewery and restaurant designed to create community. All beer selections are crafted onsite, in a small but mighty brewery. And we can confirm, they’re delicious. 

Joel Warger and Rosemary Mudry wanted to bring a brewery to the City of Shaker Heights, with Joel noting they "love the density and walkability of Shaker, love what Shaker stands for as a community and the diversity of the area." Joel spent much of his career in the brewing industry and the next logical step for him was to become an expert in the field, making his own path in the industry, specifically in northeast Ohio. 

Aside from the craft brewery portion of the business, Midnight Owl is a gathering place. It's a family-friendly neighborhood spot to congregate and enjoy some local beer, great snacks, and Tuesday Trivia Nights. This new business shines a light on Shaker's sense of community. 

We always ask owners about the rewards of owning a small business. Joel states that you can "control your own destiny, run things how you believe they should be run, and you get to set that path." He also remarked that the challenges, then, lie in "making sure people are aware of what you're trying to do. People have a preconceived notion of what you are; it's up to you to make sure that's correctly defined and break the barriers to invite them in." 

We asked Joel to share any advice he has for other business owners just starting out - especially within the same industry. 

"Make sure to have a good plan to execute. Make sure everything is reflected in your plan from your drawings [when it comes to architectural designs]. Be prepared for the work to be twice as much as you're planning for." 

Indeed, when it comes to a small business, you can never quite predict exactly what is going to happen, and this is both, at times, wonderful, and infuriating. It's all a part of the journey. 

We're so glad to have Midnight Owl Brewing Company as part of our Shaker business community! This October, be sure to check out new brews and order a couple of snacks. We recommend the house-made empanadas or the beer batter onion rings. 

Midnight Owl Brewing Company is open Tuesday through Sunday. Check them out on Instagram or their website for hours and menu.