Dillon Wight and his colleagues had to figure out how to keep the brewery going.

       

            It had only been open for a few months before everything shut down.

           

            That’s when Wight decided to take the pub experience directly to customers.

           

            The restaurateur delivered beer to their doorsteps, brought a food truck outside of the brewery and scheduled online trivia sessions.

            

            “COVID brought a time where, as a new business, we had to get really creative,” he said.

            

            Five years later, Lone Oak Brewing Co. has four locations across the province and is thriving after overcoming the pandemic, as Wight continues looking for opportunities to grow the business.

            

            Wight is one of three co-owners of the brewery and serves as the manager of its restaurant operations.

            

            He said food was not on the menu when it started, but he realized customers liked to eat with their drinks, which led to hiring the food truck.

            

            “That really catalyzed the growth of the brand.”

            

            Since Lone Oak Brewing Co. started in Borden-Carleton, P.E.I., it has added three additional locations for customers to enjoy both food and drinks.

            

            The business also sells some of its beer outside of the Island.

            

            Lone Oak is currently focused on its existing operations to ensure they run smoothly but is always looking for opportunities to grow the brand further, Wight said.

            

            “We just kind of feel it out, see how it goes, and if the opportunity is enticing and it makes sense, we'd be certain to make a move.”

            

           

            The work put into growing the Lone Oak brand to where it is now has not been easy.

           

            The COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty of when the business could open its doors again required a big adjustment.

           

            Wight also lacked experience with running a business at first.

           

            He said working with others helped him and the brewery to grow.

           

            “We wouldn't be able to get here without the people that we've been able to acquire along the way that do an amazing job.”

           

            As it has expanded, Lone Oak continues to resonate with citizens of its first location in Borden-Carleton.

           

            The community lacked a bar and restaurant of Lone Oak’s scale prior to opening there.

           

            Wight wanted to start the brewery in Borden-Carleton to tap into tourism traffic coming across the Confederation Bridge.

           

            After opening, many citizens took to the location as a place to enjoy locally made beer and music.

           

            He said his goal was to set up a good quality space with exceptional service.

           

            “I think that we've proven that over the years, whether it's in-season or off-season, and the locals have reciprocated.”

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            Jamie Fox has seen the impact Lone Oak had on the community.

           

            The former MLA for Borden-Kinkora helped Wight and his colleagues obtain grants to assist with establishing the business during Fox’s time as minister of rural development.

           

            He said the brewery filled a need for high-quality hospitality in the community.

           

            “It's just a great meeting spot for people who enjoy a great atmosphere with good food and a beverage.”

           

            The success of Lone Oak Brewing Co. reminded Fox of his own business experience.

           

            He managed the town’s Esso gas station when it opened in 1999.

           

            “It's a success story of how people can get together, have an idea and build a tremendous small business,” Fox said.

           

            Lone Oak had a large celebration featuring live music, food and drinks for its fifth anniversary at its Borden-Carleton location on Jan. 18.

           

            As Wight looks toward the future, he remembers where he and his colleagues started.

           

            “The foundation was built on all that hard work, and (its) those challenges that I think set us above some of the others.”