STAFF REPORT
Humble Baron, located at the Nearest Green Distillery on U.S. 231, celebrated its one-year anniversary on the weekend of March 22. Keith Weaver is the creative mind behind the upscale bar which also features hand-crafted cocktails and a menu of Southern-inspired dishes.
- What have been some of the biggest challenges since opening Humble Baron?
“We strive to offer each of our guests an unparalleled experience, and a challenge has been curating the perfect blend of talent and genres to cater to diverse preferences. This involves deeply engaging with our community, recognizing that while Humble Baron boasts the title of the world’s longest bar, it remains deeply rooted in community values. Our priority is ensuring that every aspect of our establishment is tailored to our guests, fostering an environment where everyone can come together and create unforgettable memories.”
- On the flip side, what have been some of the rewards since opening a year ago?
“We’re so proud to see our vision for Humble Baron come to life. It’s been an honor to host nearly one hundred thousand guests from every walk of life, fostering a real sense of unity as they gather under one roof to enjoy an eclectic mix of live music, handcrafted cocktails, and culinary delights.”
- What is the goal of Humble Baron?
“We created Humble Baron to be a place where everyone has a seat at the table and as we celebrate our inaugural year, we’re proud to be a cornerstone of the community – a haven that embraces and unites people from all walks of life.”
- What have been some of your favorite events that have happened at Humble Baron?
“We’re dedicated to enriching the local cultural landscape, not just putting Shelbyville on the map, but inviting the world to our doorstep. That’s what drove us to create our cutting-edge stage, conceived by the same visionary engineer behind Prince’s legendary Paisley Park.
“Reflecting on the past year, we take immense pride in the array of world-class talent that has graced our stage. We’ve had the opportunity to host performances by global icons like Post Malone and Eddie Vedder, to the soul-stirring melodies of Grammy-nominated acts such as The War & Treaty, and the hometown energy of Nappy Roots. Humble Baron has become a destination for amazing live entertainment across all genres.
“And let’s not forget our dedication to lifting up local talent with our talent contest ‘The Quest’. It’s our way of shining a spotlight on the emerging artists right here in our own backyard. Just look at Juliana Eden and Alexis Harris – total rock stars who won the contest and with it, monthly residencies at Humble Baron. It’s moments like these that really make us proud of what we’ve created at Humble Baron.”
- What are you excited to see come to Humble baron in the upcoming year (i.e., events, changes, or additions)?
“It’s shaping up to be a big year for us! March 23rd marked the one-year anniversary of Humble Baron and we celebrated with special events throughout the weekend – including complimentary admission to live performances from Grammy-nominated artists, The War & Treaty and Nappy Roots, and a Global Bartender Takeover! ○ But the excitement doesn’t stop there! Following our anniversary, we have an exciting lineup of events and activations throughout the year. From karaoke nights and a Prince tribute, to our summer outdoor movie night series and second-ever balloon festival, and culminating in a Winter Wonderland spectacular, our goal is to provide the local community with a diverse array of experiences.
“We have big plans for Downtown Shelbyville! We’re excited to have launched our hospitality company, Nashwood Inc., in Shelbyville with the aim to enhance the surrounding area through a five-year plan that will invest $100 million in the community.
“Our project plans include an annual music and arts festival that we’d hold outside Humble Baron. The restaurant can hold 500 customers, while the area outside the venue is projected to entertain 15,000 customers.
“Under our five-year plan, we also have exciting new ventures in the works, including a brewery and hotel that mirrors the brand identity of Uncle Nearest and Nearest Green Distillery, which is excellence. And it’s Black excellence in everything that you see and touch with the brand. We look forward to continuing to bring elevated hospitality experiences to our community.”
