It's a very close-knit neighborhood. The Eichentopfs aren't alone. The Lutz Tavern, McCreight Hardware and Mickey Finn's Brew Pub are all family-owned operations. Despite a few changes since Otto's first opened as a butcher shop, Eichentopf remains optimistic. The neighborhood has changed over the years.
Big businesses come in.
You just have to find your own little niche. During the heart of a national recession, Lee Medoff proclaimed his post as brewer at the Fulton Brewery No. 1 on a theoretical list of the 10 most awesome jobs. The erstwhile brewmaster has expanded his repertoire of alcohol stewing and for the last year has been distilling wine and liquor at the McMenamins Edgefield distillery. Not too surprisingly, Medoff is as much in love with his current job as his old one. What I'm involved in now is pretty fabulous.