Inspiring Conversations with Brad Winner of MIXX165

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Winner.

Hi Brad, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
While living in Columbus, Ohio, I spent a lot of time playing guitar and singing in bars and restaurants, so in a way, I received an education in the industry through this experience. When my family purchased the location, we weren’t sure what direction we wanted to go with MIXX165, so we started with what we love most, quality food and music. Our skilled kitchen crew puts together rotating feature dishes that complement our core menu well and when there isn’t live music, you can enjoy music videos and recorded performances on the TVs. MIXX165 has offered me an outlet to pursue my passions, engage with the community, and invest in people; though the bar and restaurant industry has its challenges, there are so many rewarding aspects that makes the sacrifices worth it! 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I haven’t met any restaurant operators who will tell you their journey has been smooth. Like most restaurant owners, we’ve ran into supply chain challenges, staffing hiccups, and the impact of the pandemic. Being that we also operate grocery stores, we have been able to pivot our business model to avoid many of these challenges. We also have invested in a very talented team whose knowledge of the industry helps us operate more efficiently. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about MIXX165?
MIXX165 is a small-town Gastropub that offers big-city flavors with a locally focused craft beer lineup and one of the best bourbon selections in the area. Mechanicsburg is only a half an hour from Columbus, so we are constantly exploring the balance of focusing on our local customers and offering a new experience for out-of-town guests. MIXX is focused on being a net positive for our community; in 2019, we launched our “Good Eats! Initiative,” a fundraising program that holds an event once a month to give back to local causes, school programs, and non-profit organizations. since its inception, our customers have helped us give back over $55,000, in a small community that makes a major impact! MIXX165 really is a passion project by my family and myself; we encourage our team to explore new flavors, and between or weekly features, rotating seasonal dishes, and each Burger of The Month, their skills really have the opportunity to shine. We have recently launched a brunch program on Saturday mornings, and curating the menu, taste testing, and engaging with new customers has been extremely rewarding. 

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
I was blessed to have an amazing childhood, and my parents made many efforts to ensure my brothers and I had great experiences. I grew up in the family business and got to spend a lot of time with my parents, brothers, and grandparents; we worked together and played together! My Grandpa was also a Harness Horse trainer, so that provided many unique memories. my favorite memory is when I first saw him win a race; my family and his friends ran across the track to get photographed in the winner’s circle. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mixx165.com
• Instagram: mixx165
• Facebook: mixx165