08/23/2021
I owe much of my livelihood and passion to a friend, mentor and guru we lost last week, Bernie Souphanavong. I first met bernie the week he opened the Bungalow: he was selling $5 “martinis”, basically a pint of vodka with ice and a strainer. It was a cool third iteration of an establishment for him, and it’s no wonder it became the hangout of the “it” crowd in the 90’s. Bernie was welcoming, non-judgemental, open and fun. Bernie first had Bernie’s jazz lounge in the Sears mall, then started souper bowl in the 5th ave mall, and when he sold that, he bought the old pickle barrel deli across from Nordstrom’s.
I had just started my brewery when he opened the bungalow, and would make sure to deliver to him last on my route. You could spend hours with Bernie, and if you paid attention to 1/6 of what he said, you’d find gems that you could bank on. It took me a long time to realize that.
He first started growing sprouts when he was a produce guy at Carrs. He is the one who convinced Carrs to start the Asian delis, and also convinced them to give him the contract to do the prep cooking for all 13 stores around the state. He never stopped thinking about what’s next. Just imagine if he had been our representative! (Btw, anyone remember don young complimenting him during the debate on kska?!)
I bought the sprouting equipment from him twelve years ago. Bernie knew a market when he saw it, knew how to bring a vision to reality, and he was the most supportive guy anyone could know.
We lost a true mensch last week. Bernard Souphanavong, thanks for a great ride.
