Trio opens Bonners Ferry Craft Brews

BONNERS FERRY — Bonners Ferry Craft Brews aims to bring back the neighborhood bar and community setting at the former Crosstime Saloon.

Co-owners Lisa Camara, Kay Kabarsky and “Hurricane” Hillary Cusano have opened Bonners Ferry Craft Brew with big hopes to be the place for fun events, karaoke, business dinners, and most importantly, a nice cold drink.

Camara and Kabarsky are longtime friends and always talked about opening a business together in Idaho. It wasn’t until Kabarsky got laid off that the pair was able to do just that.

“Lisa [Camara] has always been the creative one with a business plan,” Kabarsky said.

Camara and Kabarsky know how to run a business, but needed assistance when it comes to knowing drink options and recommendations to customers. Then they were lucky enough to bump into Hillary “Hurricane” Cusano, who is known in the community for her drink knowledge and customer service.

Cusano’s focus will be on tending the bar and assisting customers with drink offerings.

BFCB will continue to have a large selection of drinks, but instead of getting a cold one straight from the fridge, Cusano will pour the drinks into a glass and spruce up the cocktails.

“I’ve been in this industry for 25 years and I’ve made a career out of it,” she said.

BFCB will also be providing real fruit purees for specialty drinks; Cusano noted that this will be different from other drinks served in the county.

BFCB also has a Mug Club, an annual subscription that entitles the mug holder to discounts on beer, food and merchandise, advance notice on events, and invites to tasting for new selections.

BFCB held a soft opening the week of the Fourth of July with a grand reopening on July 8. The team will be bringing in live music on July 15 and 20. They want to host other events, such as game nights and nights targeted for service industry people and be the space for people to mingle.

“Bonners Ferry closes down in the winter,” Karbarky said, “We hope to be the place that people come year-round knowing there are events and people attending them.”

The owners of Bonners Ferry Craft Brews want to know what events their customers want, whether it is trivia nights, speed dating, karaoke, private parties and more.

As weather permits, events and service will be on the patio outside BFCB. They hope to provide food offerings in the future.

The trio said they are excited to serve Bonners Ferry.

Bonners Ferry Craft Brews is located at 6371 Kootenai St. in Bonners Ferry. They are open Wednesday through Friday 4-9 p.m. and Saturday from 11-9 p.m

For more information, follow them on social media at Bonners Ferry Craft Brews.