Monterey Herald: Franchisee Returns to Marina to Open The Brass Tap

Karl Waller has returned to Marina, California, to open The Brass Tap, the craft beer bar and entertainment venue franchise. Waller, along with his wife and sister, are co-owners of the franchise, which is located in the Promenade at the Dunes and will have its grand opening on June 6, the Monterey Herald reported. 

Waller moved to Marina in the early 1970s when his dad was in the Army at Fort Ord. Now, almost 50 years later, Waller is back and a proud business owner. After graduating high school, Waller attended Whittier College, Monterey Peninsula College and California State University Dominguez Hills, where he earned a bachelor's degree in marketing. He then worked for Frito-Lay, ICI Pharmaceuticals and Amway Corporation, where he held an executive role responsible for manufacturing and logistics.

After 22 years of service, Waller’s dad retired and his parents bought a house in Marina. In 2022, after both parents had passed away, the house was left to Waller and his sister. 

The idea to invest in The Brass Tap franchise came during the summer of 2020, while Waller was living in Texas. Amid the pandemic, a local newspaper highlighted a struggling Brass Tap business, which Waller and his wife visited and appreciated for its concept. Shortly after, during a visit to Marina, Waller noted the lack of local venues for drinks, food and entertainment. 

“I wanted to go out to dinner and have some drinks and I was like … I can’t believe after all these years, I’d been gone almost 40 years, that there still was no place in Marina to go have drinks, good food and entertainment … you still have to go to Monterey,” Waller said. “So we ended up staying home that Friday night.”

Realizing The Brass Tap’s potential to fill this need, Waller attended a discovery day and was impressed by The Brass Tap. He envisioned opening a location in the Promenade at the Dunes, which matched the feel of the Texas site. The franchise group's demographic study confirmed Marina as a prime location for the brand. Waller believes The Brass Tap Marina will bring in patrons from the entire Monterey Bay area, establishing it as a social hub for the community.

“I really think we’ve created something special that people from all over the entire Monterey Bay will come see,” Waller said. 

Read the full article here.