CityView Magazine - Fayetteville, NC
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1469310
CityViewNC.com | 31 P R O F E S S I O N A L P R O F I L E S S P E C I A L P R O M OT I O N A L S E C T I O N "Our Community. Our Family." The Bear's Den | On-After | H8ters 910-302-8427 | 2917 Sigman St., Fayetteville, NC 28303 Joseph "Bear" Dewberry always knew he would run a business that would encourage a sense of community and do good things for people, but his role as a serial entrepreneur wasn't always part of his plan. In 2017, at the end of his 22-year Army career, Dewberry shifted his focus from serving the nation to building community locally. Just two years after the launch of his first business, On-After Pub & Grub, the restaurant earned the Greater Fayetteville Chamber's Business of the Year Award, and Dewberry was recognized by Congressman Richard Hudson as a "reliable leader in the community" who goes "above and beyond to support the community wherever it is needed." Like many restaurants, On-After was forced to innovate during 2020's COVID-19 shutdown, but government regulations made it difficult to generate enough revenue to support the staff. Determined to keep his employees — who he calls family — on his payroll, Dewberry paid his team from his retirement earnings and then seized opportunities to launch additional businesses that could operate throughout the shutdown and where he could employ his team members. Dewberry now leads six Fayetteville businesses that provide jobs, deliver services and build community among the people involved. At least once a quarter, he sponsors a fundraiser that supports a local organization or community member, and his team operates a charity that provides toys, books, food and clothing for families who need help at Christmas. After spending the majority of his military career stationed at Fort Bragg, Dewberry chose to stay in Fayetteville because he values the city's legacy of service to the nation and its connection to the military. He plans to run for City Council in 2023 and continue to serve the people of Fayetteville with honor. Bear Dewberry ON AFTER PUB & GRUB