BC Drive-Thru : Not Your Granddad’s Beer Barn!

Offering much more than a variety of beer and cigars, Michael Blair is cultivating a new kind of hangout spot in Kosse that welcomes visitors of all ages, drinkers or non.
“I try to be thoughtful and methodical, listen to the community and their feedback. I’m all about suggestions,” Blair said. “It’s not just about selling beer. You can come in and get an ice cream and you’re going to be treated just the same as any other customer. I really want this to be family-friendly and for everyone to feel welcome here.”
BC Drive-Thru, located at 507 Washington (directly across from the Exxon gas station on Hwy 7) in what used to be the Kosse Food Truck Park, is all about the atmosphere.
Inside the store, military flags are displayed throughout, and a welcoming bar top invites customers to take a load off. Soft-serve (lactose-free) ice cream is available for the younger crowd, and Blair even has a promotion that will reward kids aged 12 and under with free ice cream when they recite the Pledge of Allegiance on site.
“We made little certificates for the kids that will go on the Wall of Fame when they say the pledge,” Blair said. “We’re not going to hold them to every word, I don’t expect a 4-year-old to know the pledge, but if they get the gist of it, that comes back to us, and being thankful that we live in a country where people like me are able to establish a business and not be told how to run my business and what I’m going to sell and not sell… It’s American, and I’m thankful for our freedoms.”
Outside, there are tables and chairs, a massive shade covering, and a small stage has been constructed and placed to the left of the shop.
“We’re going to do wine tastings, and for those events, I will have live music, whether it’s jazz or country, something that’s appealing to everybody,” Blair said.
He has also joined forces with Laura Lehmons, who is embracing her passion for cooking and delicious original recipes as Wyldkat Cuisine.
“When I approached Mike about putting a food truck out here, we got to talking, and he offered me the chance to come in and run,” Lehmons said. “We’re running. We’re going to start serving food here Oct. 1.”
In the meantime, the BC crew are prepping for their Grand Opening Celebration slated for Oct. 5, from 2-10 pm. In addition to multiple live bands and top-notch beer, wine and cigar selections, Blair is setting up fun activities that will be available to all customers on a day-to-day basis.
“We have a horseshoe pit that will be finished on Saturday, we’re going to put in cornhole,” Blair said. “I've been asked by three different people ‘can we get a washer pit?’ so that is coming too.”
These are just the beginning phases for the property, and Blair has many irons in the fire. From plans to add a fire pit with wood-stump seating to the left of the stage, and a relaxing water fountain with military tributes and flags to the right, the sky is the limit for what you may find when visiting BC.
“There’s a possibility that a wrestling ring will be brought in (to the back of the property) for (some) Friday Night Wrestling events,” Blair said. “That’s something that no one else is offering around here, and people are approaching ME with these ideas.”
Blair has put in a lot of time talking with members of the community, polling locals on what kind of beers and wines they like but don’t currently have access to. He hopes to encourage people to try things outside their comfort zones, like a new brand of wine or regional beer. Lehmons is of the same mind.
“He and I are a lot alike, because where he wants to expand people's palates when it comes to wine, I want to expand people's palates when it comes to food, and we can do that together,” Lehmons said. “Mike and I have a lot of the same ideas and same vision, we are both very gung-ho and ‘let’s get this done’ kind of mindset. I can imagine we will butt heads at some point in the future but we’ll just set up that ring back there and charge $5.”
BC is also very community-oriented, with 10% discounts for military, firefighters, and first responders, plus free ice cream for police officers on duty. They will deliver to folks within a 2-mile radius and are seeking to obtain an on-premises license so beer and wine can be served right at the bar.
“The soft open was Friday and we had a very good turnout. The environment was relaxing, and folks loved the fact that there was live music,” Blair said. “The power actually went out but a couple of guys, aged 16 and 17, got up on the stage and did an acoustic set, playing and fingerpicking til the power came back on and we could plug them into acoustic-electric amps.”
Beyond knowing good wine and good cigars, Blair has a good understanding of the importance of community and how local businesses can (and should) support each other.
“Maddie (Wilson) at Branded Market came in to visit the store and see what kind of beer we have,” Blair said. “She and I are working on a promo deal where if you spend x number of dollars at Branded, you get entered into a drawing to win a case of wine, and vice versa; if you spend x number of dollars here, you get entered into a drawing for meat from Branded Market. We are not here to cut each other’s throats, and if you know anything about me, I am about the community.”
BC Drive-Thru is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and they have a Facebook page and website for updates and event info ( https://bcdrivethru.com/ )
Lehmons’ and Blair’s excitement is contagious, with no signs of slowing down.
“We’ve got immediate plans and down-the-road plans,” Lehmons said. “We’re gearing up and I’ll be working behind the scenes to set up the Grand Opening Celebration. We want to make this as big as we can.”