The Barrel Room Celebrates 1st Birthday

As the Barrel Room gets ready to celebrate its first birthday, owner Adam Todd feels blessed that he is able to do what he loves most — hang out with people.

Of course, his passion for wine and craft beer is what brought the Barrel Room to life, but it's his first love — customer service, that makes his job meaningful.

"I feel ecstatic at the amount of people that love this place," he said. "It's really humbling."

And as a way to thank each and every customer, Todd is planning a birthday party — a birthday party that not only celebrates the Barrel Room's first successful year, but a party that truly expresses the gratitude he feels.

This party is not for the Barrel Room, but for the customers.

"Truly thank you, thank you, thank you," Todd said. "Because without a customer, I'm no longer in business."

Carrie Touchette, general manager of the Barrel Room, calls it a "Give Back to the Community/Customer Appreciation Day."

The party is definitely a community event. But this is nothing new to the Barrel Room, which already gives back to the community by partnering with a lot of local businesses such as , Mr. Cheesecake, Queen George's Cupcakes, That Little Italian Kitchen and Waggoner Chocolate. They also support local artists and musicians, including house band, The Brighter Side.

Touchette feels blessed to have met so many people who have also become great friends. She works a lot of hours and the Barrel Room has become her home away from home, she said.

She had the opportunity to come in as a customer a couple of weeks ago with her boyfriend and as they sat comfortably on the lush black couch, the fireplace glowing and laughter embracing them, she finally saw what the customers saw.

"No wonder people like it so much," she said. "I never get to see it from that perspective."

 Todd's vision was to have a place where people could just come and relax, a place where people could really be themselves and not feel pressured to dress up, a place that felt like home.

"People sit out on their patio at home, they sit by their fireplace," he said. "And that's what they do here.

"I feel blessed that my simple idea is something that people love," Todd said.

One thing is certain: This is one party you do not want to miss.

"It's going to be one big party," he said.

Birthday Party Highlights:

Time: Noon to 1 a.m. Saturday at 7901 Cleveland Ave. NW, North Canton
Noon to 6 p.m. - happy hour pricing
 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. - free food buffet from 8 p.m. - free birthday Cake from Queen George's Cupcakes
9 p.m. to midnight - music by Bret Kuhnash, former member of Fric and Frac
All day/night - *five wines that will equal 12 0z for $12. Wines will highlight big events of the past year (cigar night, Oktoberfest, etc.);  12-ounce Miller Lite drafts for $1

Editor's Note: This information was changed from the original story.