Conversations with David Cunningham

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Cunningham.

Hi David, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started in the restaurant and bar industry 15 years ago. My uncle Bobby Wiggins owned Italian Oven in Stockbridge, GA. I started out as a Server with no experience in the industry. I worked for about three months and a bartending position opened up, they offered it to me and I began training behind the bar. Within the first year, I was the lead bartender & server and assisting in managing. I give so much credit to my uncle and his long-time GM Liz Elam for mentoring me in the industry and helping mold me into the owner/operator I am today. Fast forward a few years and an opportunity became available with a friend working for Alex Gidewon who is one of the biggest names in Atlanta nightlife. I started working the weekends there as a VIP table runner. I basically assisted the cocktail waitresses and bartenders in providing a top-notch experience in some of Atlanta’s top venues such as Velvet Room, Compound, Reign, Vanquish, Halo, Prive, Goldroom & Aroma.

After about three years with them, I started doing a service bar where I was in charge of all the bottles/cocktails that went out to the VIP sections. I worked for AG for 12 years, during this time I was introduced to a man named Mario Johnson. At the time of meeting him, he owned and operated Spin & 255 located on Peter St in Atlanta. Over the years we had many interactions but did not know we would end up years later as Business partners. I continued to work at Italian Oven and the nightclubs for about eight years until I decided to leave the industry for two years in 2016 and move to Steamboat Springs, CO where I pursued a career in Real Estate. Being a huge outdoor enthusiast, I felt at home, hiking, biking, snowboarding and just enjoying a slower lifestyle all while learning a new industry. In June of 2017, my mother came to visit me, she had never been out west or to the mountains. After an amazing week of showing here around, I drove my mom back to the airport in Denver, CO not knowing it would be the last time I would see her. She flew home and had a heart attack the next day, leaving me heartbroken. I stayed in Colorado for a few more months before eventually moving back home to Atlanta in 2018 to be around family and friends.

Upon coming back to Atlanta, I did not want to go back into the nightlife and tried to avoid it for a little while. I was back managing at Italian Oven in Stockbridge and trying to decide my next career move. After a year an old co-worker reached out to me and said that Mario was interested in speaking to me about an opportunity. After a few messages and phone calls me and Mario met at a location that is now known as The Beverly. Upon arriving, I walked around the restaurant which was formerly The Brass Tap and instantly fell in love with the space and the up-and-coming Grant Park Neighborhood. Mario arrived and we started catching up and then jumped into the opportunity he was offering which was the General Manager position. I told Mario that I was interested in getting into ownership at some point and his response to me was that’s why I want you to help me out, I will get you into ownership if you do. I walked away from the meeting feeling great about what was going to develop and the opportunity he was providing me.

August of 2019 we opened the doors to one of Atlanta’s top sports bars, The Beverly. The new journey had officially begun. We opened up and I was learning more of the back end side of the business that was going to help me with opening my own place. Using everything I had learned from my uncle Bobby Wiggins and his long-time GM who at this point was one of my best friends Liz Elam and my manager with AG ENT Ronnie Luciano, I had a good grasp for things. Then comes March of 2020 and the world as we knew it got flipped upside down. Seven months after opening, we had to shut the doors for COVID. Being so young and not knowing what the foreseeable future held this was a very scary moment for Mario, myself and everyone else involved. We opened back up in May of 20 doing to go food and trying to get the name out there during a time when dine-in was not allowed and we hadn’t been open long enough to really create a name for ourself. Mario, myself, our executive chef Doug and my lead manager Bruno would go on to cook, serve, bartend and do everything we could to generate some income and make it through this tough time. Once restrictions started to lift little by little, we would start seeing some of the regulars from the beginning as well as other new faces trickle in slowly but surely.

Now in 2021 and the world opening a little more, we were seeing some success. We had a neighboring business in the unit directly next to us that unfortunately did not make it and had shut the doors. The business was a hair salon that had a color scheme of white and pink and was only about 800 sq ft in size. I was on vacation in Asheville, NC with my girlfriend and a thought came over me that we should acquire the unit and use it for an overflow space, event space and as another business opportunity. I was sitting in a cocktail bar and it hit me, we should use the space as a change of pace, bourbon and cocktail bar. Around 2014 a good friend of mine, Chris Hoak had introduced me to Bourbon. Like most, my initial descent into bourbon was like sipping fire. I continued to try different bourbons whenever Chris would tell me he found a new one or with my dinner at a restaurant and slowly acquired a taste for bourbons and particularly the fire itself RYE whiskeys. Over the years my passion grew stronger, never did I believe I would ever open and own a bourbon bar. After I returned from Asheville, I approached a good friend and old co-worker Brandon Nelson with my idea. Myself, Mario and Brandon all met at the small, empty, bright pink space and began to discuss the idea and layouts. We all decided to partner on the project and signed the lease in February of 2021. I took the lead on the design and build out having a construction background from my father’s commercial construction business and got started right away.

I am far from a designer but I feel as if I have a good eye for designs and styles that people tend to gravitate to. I decided to build my bar out of repurposed bourbon barrels provided to me from Scofflaw Brewery. Scofflaw is my favorite local brewery and we had developed a good relationship at The Beverly over the previous couple of years. I broke down the barrels and used the staves as the front facade and paired it with all-black walls and some amazing fake brick panels I sourced. The Vision slowly but surely came together thanks to the help of my brother James Cunningham and my future bar manager Colton Harris for really helping with the build-out. We opened the doors in November of 2021 after a longer than expected build-out phase and was ready to see what feedback we would receive. In 2020 we did and event at The Beverly with a group known as Black Bourbon Society. I was introduced to the Founder, Samara and one of the ambassadors Tonya Cole. This would prove to be a very important and special moment to me as it was the start of a beautiful partnership as well as a friendship. Tonya reached out with interest of doing another event with us and wanted to use the space, at the time it was not finished but we decided to go forward with it anyways as it was just a gathering of about 30 people and a tasting with a company bringing all the supplies.

This time I got to interact with Tonya a little bit more and discovered the beautiful soul this woman was! I was introduced to her husband this night and it was clear they were people I wanted to be around. We have now hosted many events with BBS and have developed a lifelong friendship with Tonya and her husband Raiko. The beautiful thing about bourbon is the history behind it and bringing people together to enjoy it from all different walks of life. I am inspired every day to continue to grow this concept and open more in other areas. I strive to make my mother proud as well as all those who have helped me get to where I am today. Special thanks to Mario Johnson for making all of this possible, Brandon Nelson for becoming not only a best friend but also a great business partner who also believed in me and continues to support me in any way possible, Makuiya my amazing girlfriend who has stuck by my side for the last five years of chaos all while running her own business. Chris Hoak for the introduction this beautiful nectar of the gods. Colton Harris for stepping in and helping me from the very beginning and holding down the place while I run around. My entire staff at The Beverly and Grant Park Social. Tonya and Raiko for being such amazing genuine people who have helped us so much more than you know in growing our brands and providing me personally with amazing support and encouragement. My mother for being and amazing beautiful, loving soul who I miss tremendously every day and hope I continue to make you proud.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not! COVID, construction material shortages, being pulled in many different directions to still maintain two other restaurants, all while owning one too.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am now the owner of Grant Park Social and the Director of Operations for Inspire Restaurant group which owns The Beverly and our newest restaurant Lock & Key. Grant Park Social specializes in a high-end experience with fine spirits, great people and an even better atmosphere. I am proud of the success we have had through all the obstacles and hurdles thrown our way, and the fact that I have such an amazing support system around me. What sets us apart from others is the welcoming warmth that Colton and the rest of the staff provide once you walk through the doors of Grant Park Social.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
NO RISK, NO REWARD! Life is all about taking risks and believing in yourself and the people around you. Getting used to being uncomfortable and taking risks is something I strive to be better at every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.GrantParkSocial.com
• Instagram: Grantparksocial
• Facebook: Facebook.com/grantparksocial