BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Brie Mueller is a mom, wife, PTA president, real estate agent, lead of the cabaret show “Sugar” and the owner of a new restaurant in Fairhaven called Sugar & Co.
Originally from Florida, Mueller spent time in New York before settling down in Whatcom County nine years ago. Prior to opening a restaurant in the area, Mueller first had the idea to bring her Cabaret show to Whatcom County.
Mueller said that the outside opinions she received leading up to Sugar Cabaret were hesitant and unsure. But after her first show had finished, audience members came up to her to say thank you and that the performance made them feel strong and empowered.
“I want to inspire people to live their life as they best can and not apologize for things too much,” Mueller said. “Be you and if people don’t like it then they don’t have to be in your life, because I guarantee that there are 20 other people that will like that you are unapologetic and yourself.”
Mueller is looking to inspire her community further with the recent opening of her restaurant Sugar & Co. in the historic Fairhaven area. Mueller was previously in the restaurant industry for 27 years when she lived in New York City but said nothing prepares you to open your own restaurant.
Furthermore, Mueller went to great lengths to make her new business venture both unique and impactful to customers. Sugar & Co. serves as a sit-down restaurant, cocktail bar and live entertainment venue all at once. Those who enter the restaurant can expect to see shades of pink, a lively atmosphere and sometimes a live performance.
Sugar & Co. hosts performers in the evenings during dinner time on Thursdays through Sundays. Mueller mentioned that she hopes to take the entertainment side of the business a step further in the future, with the possibility of aerial performances being thrown into the mix. She hopes the space offers live entertainment and something that’s just a little different, a little more upscale without feeling too upscale.
Mueller describes Sugar & Co. as both elegant and fun, as well as open to everyone. The restaurant is family friendly aside from the bar seating near the entrance.
Everything on the cocktail list a spin-off on a classic, with playful names nodding to Mueller’s Sugar Cabaret. As a self-proclaimed wine-snob she tries to keep wine options California-based, with a few Washington wine features on the half-bottle list. Beers on the other hand are for the majority sourced locally with the exception of some Belgian brews.
Mueller hopes that consistent food quality and hospitality shines brighter than the gold accents and glamour sprinkled throughout Sugar & Co. She explained that she hopes to fill a need in the food industry for intentional customer service.
The restaurant’s cuisine is inspired by familiar American bistro comfort foods crafted into an upscale dining experience. Some of Mueller’s personal favorites off of the menu include the clams in tarragon cream broth, cauliflower cacio e pepe and lamb burger.
“When I feel my best is when I’m in here during service and see the reactions, people at the tables having a good time and seeing the servers interact,” Mueller said. “It’s everything I think I [have] ever wanted in a restaurant experience.”
Mueller hopes to see Sugar & Co. become a popular place for community members to hangout and indulge in food, cocktails and service. She invites both locals and visitors to come in and expect an “experience.”
So far, the Fairhaven community has welcomed Mueller, her restaurant and the Sugar & Co. experience with open arms. The positive feedback she’s received has reassured her mission in opening a new restaurant.
“[Whatcom] has started to grow; people are starting to come here and make it more lively—more of a bigger small town. We’ve met wonderful people and have been able to grow our lives here.” – Brie Mueller
Sugar & Co. is featuring three acts this week, Jan. 16 to 18. The pop-events showing during service include Saltwater Cowboys, BJ Block Duo and Wild Applause. Thursday performances take place from 6 to 8 p.m., while Friday and Saturday shows take place from 7 to 9 p.m.
Live entertainment rotates weekly, and the restaurant invites artists interested in performing to sign up through their website. Those interested in making a reservation for dine-in can call Sugar & Co. on Wednesday through Sunday between 4 and 9 p.m.
We are Whatcom is a weekly column featuring Whatcom County residents making a positive impact on the community. To submit a Whatcom County resident to be featured, click here.
