Pat Jobe
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 10:46 am
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How many people do you know, born in the past 31 years, who grew up without running water and electricity? How about eating meals cooked on a kerosene heater and wearing clothes dried next to that heater? Justin Glisson says he and his two brothers lived his first 17 years that way and bathed in a nearby waterfall.
Spindale's newest watering hole, Pour Boys (yes, the play on words is intentional) is owned and operated by Glisson who also used his mountain upbringing to walk him 15 miles in and 15 miles back out helping folks ravaged by Hurricane Helene.
He helped shepherd 105,000 gallons of water into hard hit areas. The water and much help came from friends in Pennsylvania. He joined the thousands of generous souls who brought chainsaws and other equipment to the rescue of communities, many of which have barely recovered from the worst storm in anybody's memory.
Johnathon Daniel, a customer at Pour Boys, said Glisson welcomed him and treated him well and added, "Not everybody does."
Glisson smiled to hear that and said, "Everybody deserves kindness."
The new bar, which has only been open a few days, is a success. Glisson said, "I have been blessed."
His decorations include family pictures and a photo of that waterfall where he and his brothers took baths. He calls home Gerton Bat Cave, but even more specifically "Middlefork Mountain." Among his photos is one of the road sign at Middlefolk Mountain.
A sign on the wall reads, "Life is beautiful."
Family is at the heart of his story. He began by praising his grandmother, May Huntley, who welded ships during World War II. That was where she met his grandfather, George Washington Paul Huntley. He said, "She was a remarkable woman."
He had the same praise for his mother, Lisa Ann Drake. The bar on Main Street in Spindale sports a homey atmosphere with both bar stools and booths. Pool tables in the back drew players on a recent afternoon.
It took two years of jumping bureaucratic hoops, but now business is good. Why did a young man, who could obviously do most anything, choose hospitality?
"I love to talk to people. I could talk to that wall there. I enjoy people whether they're having a good day or a bad day. I like being with people," he said.
And what would he want people to say at his funeral if a lightning bolt takes him out of here in the next little while?
"I'm willing to help anybody with anything," he said.
It sounded sincere, especially when considering he and friends walked 15 miles in and 15 miles back out to help folks after the hurricane.
His logo comes from a photo of him and his two brothers, all with their arms uplifted and cocked to show muscle. His oldest brother, Eric Lee passed in 2015. His middle brother, Scott Drake is still with us.
Justin Glisson, 31, lives in Forest City, but does his pouring in Spindale.