As The Growler Spot approaches its 10-year anniversary, the owners reflected on watching the city of Fulshear grow around them.

When Susan Ladart and her son, Josh Schultz, opened the business Aug. 11, 2014, the city's population was around 2,284. That’s grown to 21,552, according to 2022 data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

“As the community grows, obviously business grows,” Ladart said. “We've gone from being a tiny little kitchen serving basically paninis and flatbread pizzas to a full kitchen.”
Susan Ladart and her son, Josh Schultz, have made lifelong friends in this business, they said. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Susan Ladart and her son, Josh Schultz, have made lifelong friends in this business, they said. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
What's special about it?

Schultz first came to Ladart with the idea for a bar that serves craft beer in 2009, while on a break from college.

“He came home one weekend and he says what every parent wants to hear: ‘Mom, my goal in life is to try every beer ever brewed,'” Ladart said.


Schultz said his world opened up when he found out how many different types of beer there are. One thing they’ve maintained since opening is the staff being well-versed on craft beer, Ladart said.

“One of our guys is a cicerone, which is the equivalent of a sommelier for wine,” she said. “ A lot of people come in to be educated on craft beer.”
The Growler Spot only sells beer from small craft breweries. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
The Growler Spot only sells beer from small craft breweries. (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
What they offer

All 40 taps at The Growler Spot are from small, craft breweries, Schultz said. They intentionally partner with local breweries such as Project Halo, Ladart said.

“Small business is really important to keeping the community alive,” she said. “To me, this is the soul of what a small business is for. You get that personal touch with the employees and the customer base when you try to keep things within your community.”
Co-owner Susan Ladart said locals call The Growler Spot the ''Cheers' of Fulshear.' (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
Co-owner Susan Ladart said locals call The Growler Spot the "'Cheers' of Fulshear." (Asia Armour/Community Impact)
What's next


For the 10-year anniversary party Aug. 10, The Growler Spot will have merchandise with their logo for sale and collaborate with three local breweries for specialty kegs.

Ladart said they want to pay homage to the customers who have supported them through the last decade and through challenges like Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It's those relationships that you form with people and the feeling of coming into a place where you're super comfortable and you feel welcomed,” Ladart said. “No matter where you come from, people strive for that feeling of belonging, and we've worked really hard to create that.”