bob thames
March 21, 2020
As I sat down to write today, I had to step away a few times and regroup. I was in the back of the shop on what should be a crazy retail Saturday leading up to the Easter holiday. It wasn’t. I actually hadn’t even turned on the lights yet. It wasn’t needed because we wouldn’t be open. I sat for a bit and the chaos of the past week stirred up some emotions and caused some reflection.
I started SUPPORT CITY because I had met so many people that opened my eyes to the goodness going on around us. I wanted to showcase them and their gestures in whatever little way that might be. The value of the time that I would get to spend talking with these people never occurred to me before starting the project, but I can promise that it has not been taken for granted. I feel so fortunate to have shared time with every single one of the SUPPORTERS so far and look forward to seeing what wonderful people I get to meet in the future.
Bob has a bunch strengths. I don’t think he’d mind me saying that he’s an idea guy though. The man has a special talent in continuously coming up with clever ways to make something impactful. That may be an event, a t-shirt, a name of a promotion, or in this case a fundraiser. It is a weird time that we are facing and this guy is trying to do whatever he can to help out those around him. The folks that support his living, his friends, his coworkers, his customers, and the lifeblood of our local food culture. He using social media platforms to use what he knows (bourbon & beer) and who he knows (deeply loyal & good hearted people) to raise funds and offer some assistance to local service industry workers.
You all are well aware of the situation that our city, state, and country are in. We are in a battle against an invisible enemy. You know what Bob did when word came out that the restaurants would be forced to close? He thought about “his people” and wondered what they would do. He was in his office and wanted to help. A stashed to the side bottle of Weller sitting on the record player caught his eye and the idea hit him.
As a collector/trader of “bottled things” he knew that this bottle, if safely packaged into a box of kleenex, might fetch a reasonable amount if auctioned off. Bob’s plan was simple, 1 buck equals 1 chance to win the raffle. Anyone can comment under the post and tag a service industry worker and they would automatically be added to the list for the random drawing for funds raised. Well the idea grew legs and right now he is just under $3500 raised. That means 35 separate bartenders and servers will receive a 100 dollar handshake (or I guess in this case elbow bump). This first drawing is snowballing into more drawings because of so many others donating bottles of bourbon so that the fundraising cause can continue. Thankfully there is a man to take on the responsibility and grow this thing.
The first thing listed on the homepage of this site is “This is not friend centered.” SCRATCH THAT. I am proud to call Mr. Robert “Bob” Thames a friend. I’m confident that I know him well enough to say he’s a large man and it’s because his body must protect his huge heart.
1. Describe yourself in 5 words. energetic, positive, sociable, passionate, beer
2. What is your favorite all time movie and scene? Favorite movie is Life with Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy.... Favorite scene is the end of Life when Ray and Claude are talking about "the upper room"
3. What is the best thing about where you live? The people! Working for Great Raft Brewing has introduced me to amazing folks from all walks of life that live in Shreveport.
4. People circle around and you pick the song, what is it and what's your go-to dance move? Gotta be Charlie Crockett "How I Got to Memphis" That isn't a dancing song but when I'm a few gin and tonics deep I'll start throwing finger guns from the hip.
5. When is the last time that you laughed until you cried? Ha! At myself yesterday. I stopped to get gas but ran into my best friend Wesley. I talked to him briefly then got in the car and made it about 10 minutes down the road before I realized I never put gas in my car. Gotta laugh at yourself!
6. If no rules, no restrictions, and time/place didn’t matter, describe the best day ever. Buckle in. Waking up to a sunny day in Portland, ME and walking to Becky's diner for a lobster omelette with my wife. Then somehow magically back in Shreveport to hit a few accounts at lunch (I like my job a lot). Walk to Marilyn's Place for a beer and cheese fries, then to Ki Mexico for a few tacos and more beers. Come back towards MP and grab a cookie from Lowder and one more beer at MP. End up sipping on bourbon on my parent's front porch, and watching a storm roll in. A little work, a little beer, a little bourbon, and a lot of good people in between.
7. Why do you love pot pies so much? Pot pies are the essential all in one meal. You get your veggies, meats, starch, and a little bit of love with every bite. I've always loved em but a trip to Beaver Creek and a Hallmark movie called Chance at Romance is where it all changed. Just watch the movie while you are in quarantine, you'll understand.
8. Which living person would you like to high five? The Rock. Just so he feels small for once.
9. What advice would you give the younger you? You can't make everyone happy and don't worry so much. Everything has a way of working itself out.
10. Would you help me start a classic country Saturday night podcast/radio show/webisode? Thought you'd never ask.
11. Tell us why you choose to help? Why choose kindness? When we are faced with a negative situation there are two ways that we can react. We can either sit back and let everything around us happen how it's going to happen or step to the plate and give our best effort to change the outcome for the better. It took me a long time to learn but once I realized that being kind was easier than the alternative my life became infinitely better.
What is one question that you wish I had asked? What's your favorite non beer drink. For the record it's anything bourbon. Neat, rocks, Old Fashioned, Manhattan. I'll take em all.
Bob’s choice for the funds raised for this campaign to go to our Local Service Industry workers. We agree wholeheartedly.