Check Out Julian Wright’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julian Wright.

Hi Julian, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After graduating from Arizona State University in 1995, I briefly lived in the Virgin Islands and Chicago before moving to Denver where I started my career with Qdoba Mexican Grill. I then moved back to the Phoenix area after three years with them and opened my own place called Jax Thai Bar on Mill Ave in downtown Tempe in 2000. I’ve opened many concepts since then up and down Mill Ave, and in New Mexico and Long Beach.

In 2015, I opened Pedal Haus Brewery which is my flagship brand and the one I’m excited to expand. Luckys Indoor Outdoor is a fun side project with some friends of mine that own the building. It’s my kind of bar so I thoroughly enjoy being there and getting to know everyone. I look forward to further engaging with the Roosevelt Row and Downtown Phoenix communities, and I plan on bringing additional concepts to the area this summer 2021 including Kähvi Coffee, Sake Haus, and an another Pedal Haus all within the historic monOrchid building.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Smooth road? What’s that? It’s been a 21-year boxing match, but I still love it. So, hard it doesn’t make sense as a viable career but I’m pretty scrappy and like the challenge. And if the biz wasn’t hard enough, throw in 9/11, the great recession, and now a pandemic to top it off. Good times.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At this point, I’m primarily focused on the creative. Concept design, space design, branding, marketing, lights, and music, etc. We have a solid ops team that focuses on day-to-day like hiring, training, scheduling, and ordering. I guess I’m known for the vibe, aka lights, decor, and music. I’m probably most proud of my relationship with my staff and customers. I’m very present in my businesses and really enjoy hanging out with everyone. I think that’s pretty important in this biz. There are a lot of humans involved and you have to enjoy connecting with people.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
You better be able to take a figurative punch. You also have to continue to evolve and never take your foot off the gas pedal.

Contact Info:

• Email: drink@luckysphx.com
• Website: https://www.luckysphx.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckysphx/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LuckysIndoorOutdoor

Image Credits
“Authentik Vision”