One Ridgefield resident has always viewed herself as an entrepreneur at heart.
Erin Musgrove spent months looking for a location to start a boutique wine bar. Then, one day when Musgrove was scrolling online she saw someone who converted a trailer into a bar on wheels.
Musgrove and her husband bought a used trailer, brought it home and stripped it down to its bare bones. Together, they installed new sheet metal. Musgrove’s husband works as a fabricator so he helped with most of the construction, while she focused on the design.
Every family member did their part to work on the trailer. Musgrove’s 10-year-old son helped fix the trailer brakes, replaced the tires and worked on wiring with his father, she said.
“We thought it would be a really easy project, but it took us about eight months,” she said.
So far, Musgrove’s business Bliss and Barrel Mobile Bar Co. has attended a 40th birthday party, a couple of weddings and a Fourth of July event in Ridgefield. The bar was officially ready to go in June.
The shop will make appearances at Ridgefield First Saturdays to gain more exposure for the business, she said.
“It was the perfect timing with COVID starting to lift,” Musgrove said.
Musgrove’s licensing doesn’t allow her to purchase alcoholic products to sell. Instead, she acts as a bartending service. The bar features a kegerator with beer on tap, as well as all the essential tools to make signature cocktails.
“We will serve any drink you want and we’ll give you a shopping list,” she said.
Bliss and Barrel Mobile Bar Co. offers different packages. The two-hour service includes bartending services, trailer set up and clean up. The “rodeo” is a three-hour service for birthday or engagement parties. Lastly, the four-hour service is the most ideal for big events, like weddings.
“I’m excited about being a part of people’s celebrations, weddings, birthdays and other milestones in their life,” she said.
During the day, Musgrove is a full-time realtor and has been for nine years. She plans to use the trailer as an attraction for open houses and client housewarming parties.
Musgrove has two sons, a 15-year-old and a 10-year-old. Her husband grew up in the Ridgefield area.
Previously, Musgrove owned and operated a baking business called Chaotic Chocolate. For a couple of years, she would sell her products to hospitals and gift shops.
“This fulfills my creative side of entrepreneurship and just wanting to have fun being a business owner,” she said.
