Off Highway 163 sits Pierpont General Store. It’s a place where country charm meets community spirit. On any given weekend, you’ll find live music, the smell of grilled burgers, kids playing between picnic tables, and couples having drinks at sunset. But once a month, this cozy spot transforms into a gathering place with a mission.
The event is called Celebrity Bartender, and if you haven’t experienced one yet, let me pour you a story.
I first heard about the monthly happening through my friend Savannah Chambers, who occasionally bartends at Pierpont. She approached me with the idea of being a “celebrity bartender” — a term that made me laugh at first. I may be known around town for therapy and community engagement, but not for crafting cocktails. That was new territory.
Still, I’ll accept most opportunities to give back in a fun way. So I volunteered to bartend at the event, which entails stepping behind the bar for one night to raise money for a nonprofit of the guest bartender’s choice.
My cause was clear: COMO Mobile Aid Collective, which offers mobile support and supplies to unhoused residents of Columbia. I’d been following their work for a while and considered their model of care, mobility, and dignity an honorable and effective mission. This felt like the perfect way to support that mission in a fun, interactive way.
Happy Hour with Purpose
Preparing for the event was similar to planning any special fundraiser: It involved tasty drinks, raffle baskets, table signs, coordinating with staff, and promoting the event on social media. I had the pleasure of co-planning the event with Catherine Armbrust, the director of Mobile Aid Collective and, of course, Chambers and the Pierpont team, who made the logistics feel easy. We even designed a signature drink, the Blood Orange Moscow Mule, which I can now make at home. (Well, almost.)
There’s something humbling about being behind the bar, especially as an amateur. I found myself multitasking in ways I hadn’t expected: making change, answering questions about the drink menu, shaking cocktails, and — most importantly — engaging in casual conversations and sharing awareness about COMO Mobile Aid Collective. Pierpont regulars are loyal, with many swinging by the store and grabbing a drink for a cause. It wasn’t just about tips (which all went to the nonprofit); it was about connection.
And the atmosphere? Laid-back fun.
With children and leashed dogs between tables, friends shared picnic benches with strangers, and personal stories spilled across the patio. The warm golden light of an early summer evening framed the whole experience. This is what makes Pierpont such a special gathering place.
The Origin Story
The Celebrity Bartender series officially launched at the start of 2023, part of General Manager Shawn Bennett’s broader vision to make Pierpont a destination: not just a gas station or store, but a hub for community-building.
“We wanted to find a way to introduce people to Pierpont while giving back to local charities,” Bennett told me. “It’s been amazing to see how it’s grown. Our regulars love it, and new folks are discovering us all the time.”
Each month, a new pair (or trio) of volunteer bartenders steps up to raise money for a nonprofit that matters to them, such as CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and City of Refuge, just to name a couple. The events have drawn everyone from Rotary Club members and business professionals to artists, teachers, and first-time visitors.
At one recent event, a family raising funds to honor their daughter brought a claw machine to the bar, which turned out to be a huge hit with guests and helped the family raise more money than any other Celebrity Bartender night to date.
Another celebrity bartender and Pierpont regular is Craig Brumfield, who supports P.E.A.C.E. (People Embracing Another Choice Effectively), a group that supports incarcerated individuals and their communities through educational opportunities and advocacy.
“It’s a low-cost way to get the word out about a small, local organization that needs financial support,” Brumfield said. “The turnout every year has been fantastic. And since we live so close to the store, it has a Cheers feel when we walk in.”
Pours That Empower
What makes the event special isn’t just the fundraising — though that’s significant. It’s the awareness raised, the conversations sparked, and the relationships built.
Armbrust of COMO Mobile Aid Collective told me, “Public events like this are vital. They help educate people about our mission. I’ve done a lot of public events over the years, but what stood out to me was how many folks wanted to genuinely understand what Mobile Aid Collective is all about.”
Another favorite story comes from Darren Day, a CASA volunteer and recurring celebrity bartender. What started as a one-time fundraiser has evolved into a yearly tradition known as Cocktails for CASA. In just two years, Darren and his co-host, Tim Bach, more than doubled their donations, from $4,500 to $10,500.
“It’s one of our favorite ways to connect with new supporters,” Day said. “It’s a great reminder of how people will show up when given a fun way to make a difference.”
Why It Works
The reason these events thrive is simple: authenticity. Pierpont General Store isn’t flashy or overproduced. It’s a place where you can sip a beer at a picnic table with a nonprofit leader on one side and a soft rock band playing on the other. You might show up with your co-workers and end up dancing with a group of retirees — it’s that rare blend of comfortable and meaningful.
And yes, it’s family friendly. I’ve seen toddlers wobble-dance to live music while their parents clink glasses and bid on raffle baskets. The whole place just feels like a warm hug from the community.
I’ve now done two of these events and can’t wait for the next. Whether it’s the sweet challenge of figuring out a cocktail order or the even sweeter reward of watching someone learn about a local nonprofit for the first time, it’s a good time.
Because sometimes, making a difference starts with shaking a drink and sharing a story.
