Overcoming long odds, this new taphouse opens in downtown Bellingham
Opening a business that serves food and drink during a pandemic is difficult, but Randy Young had to overcome even greater odds and heartbreak to make it happen.
With the help of family and friends, including his brother Dave, Randy Young was able to open Juxt earlier Oct. 5. The taphouse is on Holly Street in the former Teriyaki Bar space near Greenhouse.
Along with beer and cocktails, Juxt has a food menu that includes soups, sandwiches, tacos and steak. It is open every day except Tuesday, starting at noon and going into the late evening.
When Young began the project, he believed that he was on track to get funding from a bank as well as the Small Business Administration. Those deals fell apart at a crucial time in the process, so he had to turn to family, friends and a Kickstarter campaign for help.
In getting Juxt open, Randy Young said it is also a tribute to his mom, Cathy, who died in July 2018 from ALS.
“Losing my mom at the beginning (exactly day we got the keys) was extremely difficult,” Young said in an email. “She was a force of positivity and joy and a huge part of our lives. She was also a major inspiration for us to keep fighting and not give up. My mom attacked life and lived it to the fullest.”
Opening this type of business with the current COVID-19 restrictions in place is a challenge, but Young said so far it has gone well. The whole goal for opening was to provide a place for people to hang out and connect with each other, which is tough when people are being asked to wear face coverings and keep their distance.
“The response has been amazing. We’ve been super busy and everyone is doing a great job of following the rules,” Young said, adding that he is feeling very lucky and grateful to have the support of the community.
Having just opened, Juxt doesn’t have takeout/delivery available yet, but expects to in the next couple of weeks. Juxt has already begun connecting with neighboring businesses, having recently hosting an event with Saltadena bakery.
The name Juxt is short for juxtaposition, which in its simplest form means the state of being close together. Young is one of many hoping that can happen again soon.
For further details on the business, including a menu, visit Juxt’s Facebook page.
This story was originally published October 18, 2020 at 7:00 AM.
