It’s hard to believe Brenda and Travas Cooper took ownership of Mad Paddle Brewstillery just over a year ago. I did a story with them in those early days, but so much has changed and improved in such a short time, I thought it appropriate to take a further look. I caught up with Brenda and her manager Tori Jones on a quiet Tuesday afternoon in the main beer and music hall.
“First of all, I want people to know we are going to be open 3 days a week for a while,” explains Brenda. “Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. We’ve made so many changes and tried so many different things, we need time to evaluate what works best and what didn’t. Then maybe we will come back and add some days.
“It’s such a huge building, plus the patio out back,” Brenda continues, “there are so many moving parts. We’ve expanded our food offerings, tried a bunch of different things with music in the big room and back on the patio. Karaoke. Trivia. Line dancing! You name it, we’ve explored it. We’ve learned what our customers want and what things we can maybe do without.”
That emphasis on the customer is the key to the huge success of Mad Paddle over the past 12 months. Brenda, Tori and the entire team are very responsive to what makes the customer happy and what keeps them coming back. They’ve managed to build a substantial repeat customer base that wants to hang out and spend time at the venue, week after week.
“We’ve enlarged the kitchen and upgraded the dining,” says Brenda. “We’ve gone to a consistent music schedule with live bands every Friday and Saturday. We’ve turned the patio into a fun spot to hang out with kids and friends. I’ve heard stories of kids begging their parents to take them to our patio … that’s the kind of loyal customer you strive for!
“Another example is our garage bar in the back of the building, with the big overhead door we can open on warm days. It’s been a huge hit with customers who want to just hang out, maybe watch a game on the TV.”
Tori chimes in, “It’s our goal, the entire staff, to make customers feel at home, to feel comfortable and well taken care of. I believe much of our repeat business is due to the great service of our excellent servers. People feel welcome and part of the family.
“I also think the quality and kinds of music we are bringing in is part of the mix,” continues Tori. “We choose bands based on their fun factor, their ability to engage an audience and deliver a good time. We can tell right away if the crowd is responding, and we’ll mark that band down for repeat booking if the energy is good.”
“Oh, there’s one other thing I want to share that’s new this year,” interjects Brenda. “We are opening up our back patio as a showcase for aspiring musicians to play their music and earn some tips. We’ll have details coming soon about how to sign up and reserve a slot. But we think it will be a great way for people to try new songs or and just play for the sheer joy of it.
“The other thing I want to mention is we are ramping up our capabilities as an event space. We already have several great areas you can rent for parties or receptions, plus we are in the process of remodeling a big new open space that will be perfect for larger receptions and gatherings. Give us a call if you want to take a look.
“I would say to everyone who hasn’t been to Mad Paddle in the past year, please come in and see what we’ve done with the place! There is a fun and friendly vibe you’ll feel the moment you walk in the door. It’s been an exciting and sometimes exhausting first year, but there is lots more cool stuff in the pipeline in the months to come. We hope to see you soon.”
HOT TIP OF THE WEEK
First of all, looking ahead to next Saturday, the 14th, there are still a few tickets available for the bluegrass show at Red Bicycle Hall, featuring the Biblehauser Brothers with special guest Michael Cleveland. Trust me on this one folks, it will be an amazing experience you won’t ever forget. Tix at MadTixEvents.com, but hurry! This weekend is the 8th Annual Girls Weekend in Madison, and it guarantees a fun and joyous atmosphere all over downtown. Saturday night will be especially fun with live music in 5 downtown hot spots (plus 1 on the hilltop). With the warm weather expected, it will be one of those perfect Madison nights to just be out strolling around. Come join the fun!
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