Batesburg-Leesville, SC 04/25/2023 - Homeland Craft Beer and Wine is reopening in Batesburg-Leesville under new ownership. The bar has been a staple of the community since 2020, and many locals have always described it as being, “like a community center with great drinks;" a place to spend time with family and friends and meet new friends along the way!
Homeland holds a special place in the hearts of the new owners, Dawn Jacobs and Rosemary Knowlton. The pair met for the first time at the bar. This sparked a friendship that eventually blossomed into a romance.
Rosemary was affectionately known as "Norma," Homeland's own Norm from the popular sitcom Cheers which was huge during the late 80s and early 90s on television. Dawn was a regular who helped with special events at the bar when needed!
"As soon as I heard Evan and Josh, the former owners, were going to sell, my wheels started turning," Dawn said recently, "but I had to take time and really think about it. It was a big decision," she concluded.
Josh Carpenter said, "We had someone ready to purchase and were steps away from closing on the sale when Dawn and Rosemary called me. I knew they would be the perfect fit, but we were almost at the finish line!"
As fate would have it, the original buyers decided they could not take the time needed to run a bar business. They knew that it would take time away from their growing family, and decided they should step away from the purchase.
"When we got the call that the bar was back on the table, we were so excited," said Rosemary Knowlton.
Their dream has now become a reality, and the grand opening is set for Thursday, May 11th, just in time for the town's largest yearly event, the Poultry Festival!
Homeland Craft Beer and Wine offers 12 taps of mostly Southeastern craft beers, a huge selection of wine, and now also serves wine slushies and wine-based cocktails.
Evan Costner said, "People would drive from several towns away to experience the unique choices, and the laid back and comfortable atmosphere. We could not be more excited that this beautiful experience will live on in our town, and Rosemary and Dawn will be at the helm."
For more information on Homeland, you can check out their socials at Facebook.com/homelandcraftbeer and on Instagram @homelandbeerwine.
