Category Archives: #yeahthatgreenville

On Reflecting the Recent Passing of Addy Sulley: A Legacy of Community, Connection, and the “Third Place”

As I sit down to reflect on the recent passing of Addy Sulley, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the way he shaped our little corner of the world here in Greenville, SC. Addy wasn’t just a restauranteur; he was a builder of community. Through Addy’s Dutch Café and Hans & Franz Biergarten, he gave us more than just places to grab a bite—they were third places, those rare and vital spots where people could come together, unwind, and connect. For me, these spaces hold a special significance: it’s where I met my wife on our first date and where the idea for Beer and Napkins first took root. Addy’s legacy reminds me of what sociologist Ray Oldenburg once wrote in The Great Good Place: “Third places are the heart of a community’s social vitality and the grassroots of a democracy.”

I’ll never forget the warmth of Addy’s Dutch Café that night I met my wife. The soft glow of the lights, the hum of friendly chatter, and the cozy, unpretentious vibe made it feel like the perfect place for a beginning. It was the kind of spot where you could linger, where nobody rushed you out the door, and where you felt like you belonged. Years later, that same space became the launchpad for Beer and Napkins—an initiative born from the belief that great ideas often spark in casual, communal settings over a pint or a plate. Addy’s restaurants weren’t just buildings; they were the backdrop for life’s big moments, and I know I’m not the only one who feels that way.

So, what’s a third place, anyway? Oldenburg describes them as the essential hangouts beyond home (our first place) and work (our second place)—spots where we can relax, swap stories, and build relationships without pretense. Addy’s places nailed that concept. Whether you were sipping a beer at Hans & Franz or enjoying a quiet meal at the Dutch Café, you were part of something bigger. It didn’t matter if you were a regular or just passing through; Addy had a way of making everyone feel welcome. His restaurants weren’t about fancy decor or trendy menus—they were about the people who filled them, the laughter that echoed, and the sense of togetherness that lingered long after you left.

That spirit of connection is what inspired Beer and Napkins. Addy’s venues showed me that some of the best ideas don’t come from stiff boardrooms or rigid schedules—they come from the kind of easy, human interactions that happen in third places. Beer and Napkins took that lesson and ran with it, turning pubs and cafes into hubs for creativity and collaboration. In a way, Addy’s influence is woven into every meeting we’ve held, every napkin scribbled with a new idea. His spaces proved that when you bring people together in the right environment, good things happen—whether it’s a love story or a brainstorm session.

Now, as we say goodbye to Addy, it’s hard not to feel the weight of his absence. Greenville won’t be the same without him. But his legacy? That’s not going anywhere. Through the third places he created, Addy gave us more than just memories—he gave us a blueprint for community. He showed us how a simple café or biergarten could become a cornerstone, a place where friendships blossomed, ideas flourished, and people found a sense of home away from home. His passing leaves a hole, no doubt, but it also leaves behind a gift: the reminder that connection matters, and that the spaces we share can change lives.

Rest in peace, Addy. Your restaurants were more than just places—they were where we found each other, where we grew, and where we became better. Your spirit lives on in every conversation started and every bond forged within those walls. We’re all richer for it, and we’ll carry your legacy forward with every gathering we hold. Thank you for everything.

Beer & Napkins Brewside Chat Ft, Joey Loman, Founder of SynergyMill

We’re thrilled to welcome the incredible Joe Loman, a true renaissance man, to our Brewside Chat. Joe’s unique vision and hands-on experience with Makers Spaces and fostering innovation ecosystems are not to be missed. He’ll share his insights on Napkins to Prototype, an approach that takes raw ideas from brainstorming sessions to tangible startups in the ecosystem.

As a key figure in the Greenville entrepreneurial scene, Joe has been pivotal in shaping our idea community. His work with TEDxGVL and his founding of SynergyMill, a creative haven for innovators, tinkerers, and budding entrepreneurs, have made him a local champion of collaborative spaces. Now, in partnership with Beer and Napkins, Joe is pushing boundaries, taking ideas from the “third places” (pubs, cafes, community spaces) and transforming them into prototypes. Through this Napkins to Prototype initiative, he’s lighting the path from casual conversation to startup creation.

Get ready to dive into Joe’s journey of building connections and empowering creativity across the Upstate! Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or simply curious, this is a chance to connect, learn, and be inspired.

About the Idea Forger Community
We are part of the Beer and Napkins Communities of Growth, where we unite people from all walks of life to generate, nurture, and share groundbreaking ideas. Our Meetups provide a collaborative space for brainstorming and grassroots innovation, from early-stage concepts to cutting-edge technologies. Plus, we offer access to a supportive network of creatives, thinkers, and entrepreneurs.

Don’t miss this opportunity to spark your next big idea!
Join us at Fireforge Crafted Beer for an inspiring night of conversation, connection, and creativity. We can’t wait to see you there!

Welcome to the Idea Forger Community! We are a part of the Beer and Napkins Communities of Growth. We aim to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds to generate innovative and exceptional ideas that benefit everyone. Whether it’s a startup concept or an application of new technologies, our Meetups encourage informal brainstorming sessions and support grassroots innovation. Additionally, we provide access to a network of talented individuals and the startup ecosystem.

We invite you to join our Monthly Meetup at Fireforge Crafted Beer. This event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded creatives and engage in supportive conversations to help you thrive and grow as an innovator.

Beer and Napkins Supports Furman University’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Scholarships available for their new GVL Starts Entrepreneurship Program

Beer and Napkins is excited to be supporting Furman University’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship GVL Starts. For a program overview, please visit  https://www.furman.edu/innovation-entrepreneurship/programs/gvl-starts/  or for more information, contact [email protected]

The Institute will give a 50% scholarship to the first 5 who apply (so it would only be $149). Just enter “50% Beer and Napkins Scholarship” in question 18/last question of the application. For application, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GVLSTARTS 

Beer and Napkins Year in Review 2019

As we near the close of 2019, I want to take the time to reflect on the many relationships and ideas that make Beer and Napkins possible. It is easy to forget all the things we do and the people who make it happen in the year!   First, I am appreciative of my accomplice, Paul Hebert who has been with me cultivating the Beer and Napkins vision for almost 10 years.  Also, my friends and colleagues Tony Miller, Pam Wood Browne, Greg Holiday, and my brother Joel McCreight who have continually encouraged and nurtured our crazy ideas.  Additionally, I want to thank two special individuals who have inspired me, Saul Kaplan, founder of the Business Innovation Factory, who has connected me to wonderfully serendipitous network and unlocked my perception of the connective and collaborative power of community.   Last but not least, David Gray, who took special time with me to expand my knowledge of visual thinking.  I know there are many more who have contributed to Beer and Napkins and have helped me grow, forgive me if I did not mention you, but I am grateful for you.

Not sure if it is my age or viewpoint, but 2019 has been a hectic year personally and professionally.  Stack on the geopolitical chaos that has been permeating our feeds and collective psyche, I could think of no better acronym to describe the zeitgeist we are experiencing…

VUCA

VUCA, coined at the Army War College to describe this chaotic, asymmetrical environment was the theme of Beer and Napkins this year.  VUCA stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity.  This theme was the top of my TEDxTalk I conducted in March this year, it chronicled my non-linear career path along with a perspective of freedom fighters, borrowing on the lyrics from the play Hamilton’s Stay Alive, “Outrun, Outlast, and Hit ‘em Quick and Get out Fast”.   Key takeaways:  To be successful in the VUCA world, Reduce your Biases, Embed yourself in a Community, and Try Small Experiments.

See my TEDxTalk here:  Face Change Like a Freedom Fighter

Thank you, Lisa Corley, for the picture!

Much of the year was building on this theme with meetups, podcasts dedicated to dialogue on how to navigate this VUCA world.

Freedom Fighters

As part of this year’s theme we wanted to recognize those who embody Freedom Fighter qualities, appropriately focused in the “revolutionary” month of July we recognized the following individuals for their bias reducing, community building, and experimental focus.

The recipients were:

Pam Wood Browne

Caroline Caldwell-Richmond

Juan Gonzalez

Saul Kaplan

Phil Yanov

Each of these Freedom Fighters helps their respective communities in education, preparation, and connections. Thank you for your inspiration!

Meetups

In 2019, we had several VUCA Meetups with the topic around Career Hacking.   Our goal was to build a community around experimentation, pushing the boundaries around traditional career paths and approaches to job searches, career assessments, and resources.

Chicago

We also had a unique opportunity to expand our conversations to the Chicago area. Special thank you to Molly M. Cantrell-Kraig for hosting a VUCA session on resilience and sharing her new bias busting book “Circuit Train Your Brain”  

Big thanks to Pete Wendell, another BIF connection for helping nurture the Chicago conversations.

Events

Events and Meetups are at the heart of our vision to nurture ideas in 3rd Spaces.  Community Tap has been a big supporter and we appreciate the space where we can drink good beer and do community brainstorming. Thank you Community Tap!  A big thank you to Susan McLarty, Coordinator for Greenville Homeless Alliance, of the city of Greenville. In partnership, this past year Beer and Napkins coordinated three events related to sustainable and resilient Greenville communities. We called it LinkinGVL.

The two events were:

LinkingGVL: Rethinking the link of Affordable Housing and Accessible Public Transportation

LinkingGVL: Rethinking Link of the Comprehensive Plan: Connecting Housing, Transportation and Land Use.

Podcasts

We love Podcasts! It is a great way to learn and connect with great minds! We recorded three podcasts this year, we had an innovator, an artist, and a futurist… what a fun and engaging experience this year with these awesome folks

Innovator, Consultant, and Mentor Deb Mills-Scofield – The Blue Lobster

UK Artist and Creative Organizational Development  –  Doug Shaw – Keep It Messy!

Futurist and Advisor- Dr. Chris Rice- Future is Not what it Seems

 

What’s Next…The Roaring Twenties

Well, let’s just hope there is no prohibition! We may just have to go underground.  In all seriousness, we hope to continue to diversify our connections, our projects, and perspectives this coming year. Being a Freedom Fighter will become ubiquitously part of our modus in the coming years.  Please stay tuned for our long-gestating Beer and Napkins Field Book. As we pursued small experiences beyond our Greenville home, we strive to continue our vision of a revolution of ideas throughout this country and the world through partnerships, ecosystem development, and technology.   Please let us know your ideas and thoughts on how we can serve you and your community.

Thank you and have a blessed New Year

Phil McCreight

Founder, Beer and Napkins.

[email protected]