Conversations with Catherine Newman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Newman.

Hi Catherine, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Tony and I met at work 30 years ago in the banking industry. We were both Personal Bankers. I stayed in the industry and climbed the ladder for 23 years to a VP/District Manager level for several large commercial banks, while Tony became successful as a Finance Manager/Director in the Auto Industry. Our story is kind of like a combination of the movies, “Fools Rush In” and “Passport to Paradise.” I come from a huge Filipino family and Tony is an only child of divorced parents. With very different backgrounds, what we both had in common were a family of entrepreneurial spirit, and just a deep desire to chase after that dream. But, we both weren’t passionate about our jobs at all. In the meantime, Tony’s dad had been searching for the perfect place to live for years and after decades of searching, he found it in Arizona. We had been taking family vacations from Seattle to Arizona for years until we finally decided to stay here permanently four years ago. What we found in many of our visits was that we really didn’t find a place for people like us, transplants, to gather. So, we wanted to create a place for locals and transplants alike to experience the PNW like we know it, and merge the two cultures together.

Tony had been deep in the beer industry in Washington for many years, dating back to the nineties. He had been home brewing himself as well. It was a dream for us to one day start a brewery or a taproom so we reserved the domain name Wicked Rain many years ago. Wicked Rain is another name for a beer just like twisted tea, hard cider, etc. We added “A Pacific NW Craft Beer Bar” so that it would be clear as to what our brand really meant. Many thought it might be tough to start a taproom at the tail end of a pandemic. We felt that what we were offering to the community had enough value added to make for a sound and successful business plan. So, we pushed along with construction.

Since we first turned on the open sign on March 23, 2022, we have created over 15 job opportunities, hosted 3 fundraisers, including a pet adoption event, and built countless friendships with locals in our community. We are the new official home of the East Valley Sea Hawkers Booster Club (official Seattle Seahawks Fan Club) and have made numerous partnerships within the larger Phoenix area community. We continue to find ways to grow our business through business-to-business partnerships and other community resources. Our name might say Pacific NW, but Arizona is our home and there will always be a place on our tap list for local Arizona beer.

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?
Getting the bar open during the tail end of the pandemic had its challenges. We faced delays with permits, materials, and construction. Sub-contractors faced challenges with employees being sick with Covid and therefore unable to complete our project timely. These types of issues caused a domino effect of delays which pushed our opening date further out.

We decided to open our doors without a full patio which was completed two months later. We received a temporary certificate of occupancy but were fortunate enough to have a social media following. We did hire a marketing company that assisted us with the initial branding and launch so thankfully, we had nearly 150 customers walk in the door the day when we turned on the open sign unannounced. It’s definitely a different ball game when you are passionate about what you are doing. You see struggles in a different light. It’s like you have this superhuman power you didn’t know you have! IYKYK kind of thing!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Both Tony and I grew up in the Banking and Finance industry. We started as bank tellers. I climbed the corporate ladder and held every position in retail banking up to a VP, District Manager in charge of numerous branches for a western state. Eventually, I left banking to join our family manufacturing business as an operations manager before we moved to Arizona. Here, I worked for a big box retailer as a logistics and operations manager. Tony hopped over to Auto Finance and was a manager and director for over 20 years until we opened Wicked Rain.

Having been on the other side of the bar doing “research” since being able to legally drink (or maybe even prior to that), we have taken notes on a ton of things that we would and wouldn’t do when “someday” we open a brewery or a taproom. We had been fortunate to meet many brewers and other entrepreneurs in the finance industry over the years, Being in that industry had given us an opportunity to make connections that allowed us to differentiate our brand and create a “niche” in Arizona.

We’re really proud that we’re able to bridge and merge what we consider to be our two cultures together – the PNW and AZ – within Wicked Rain through our beer selection, food menu, and vibe. We’ve given those folks from the PNW who miss home a “home away from home.” and we also champion the best of Arizona Craft Beer!

Having said all that, Wicked Rain has 40 revolving tap handles of craft beer/hard cider/mead (we even have a root beer on tap) from WA, OR, ID, and AZ. We also have over 100 selections in cans and bottles. We have a kitchen with a great selection from chowder to Wicked Wings, to flatbreads. There’s something for everyone! On top of all that, we are an all-ages bar.

You can expect fun activities throughout the week, from trivia to live music and movie nights.

So, come pull up a chair, and we’ll pour you a cold one! Cheers, friends!

What do you like and dislike about the city?
We love the sense of community in the craft beer industry of our city. We often see brewers helping each other out in many ways. Everyone is supportive of one another not only through beer collaborations but in other ways as well.

In addition, there is also strong support within the small business community.

Pricing:

• Happy Hour M-F $1 Off Draft and Wine, $2 Off Flatbreads & Wicked Wings
• Reverse Happy Hour Friday and Saturday 9 PM – Close (Kitchen Closes at 10:30)
• All Day Happy Hour on Sundays
• 10% off tab for Veterans, Military, and First Responders
• 10% off tab Industry Discount, 10% off tab Sea Hawkers Booster Club Members

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wickedrain.com
• Instagram: @wickedrainaz

Image Credits
Awe Collective, Isaac Kiehl, April Curnutt, Morgan Harrington, and Jennifer Almeda