IN A world where most teens her age are busy navigating college decisions and figuring out life in general, KerriAnn Brewer seized an opportunity when it presented itself, proving that age is just a number when it comes to following your dreams. She never imagined herself at the helm of a bustling deli in the heart of Wartrace, and the responsibilities of running a business were not on her radar, but life is full of surprises.
The savory aroma of freshly prepared sandwiches and soups welcomes you within the cozy walls of Rock House Depot Deli. The space may be small, but it holds more than the promise of a delicious meal. It’s a testament to Brewer’s determination and hard work.
It’s the only place Brewer’s ever worked; she was an employee for a year and eight months when the owner decided she would either sell or close. She needed Brewer’s answer right away.
“We didn’t want to close the deli down. I knew everything, basically, so I thought I’d just give it a shot. I know a lot of people around don’t have vehicles, so they don’t have many choices, so that would just be one less option,” said Brewer.
The transition from an employee to a business owner was challenging. Still, she diligently sought sound accounting and legal advice, and her record-keeping skills continued to evolve as she learned. Her mom, Kim, is a strong support as well.
“I was surprised that you have to pay taxes on the majority of things because I had never experienced that. Some things have different taxes, and there was a lot to learn,” she said. “Since this was my first job, I hadn’t even done taxes as an employee, which just made it a lot harder and a lot more to learn as a new employer.”
The little girl who thought she wanted to be a lawyer now presents her case for being a lifelong learner.
Brewer said, “I wanted to be a lawyer because I feel like I’m good at looking at the other side of things, and I feel like I can provide a strong argument. But once I knew how much school was required, it was just a little too much for me. Then, I wanted to be an esthetician, and that’s what I was planning to do until this opportunity arose. I love being here, and I love the community and the customers that come in.”
She’s continually growing and looking for ways to improve, personally and professionally.
“I like social media. It can be another thing that shows you different ways to learn and grow revenue. And I’ve gotten into podcasts. I just stopped listening to the news because the podcasts are teaching me something. I always like to hear new things and new opinions that will help me grow in the future. We’re all learning each day, and it’s only going to help us,” Brewer said.
Despite the challenges, Brewer finds joy in connecting with customers.
“I love getting to talk to the customers. Some of them probably don’t [talk] with that many people on a day-to-day basis, so I like to be the person talking to them. And I love hearing them say they’re full of their stuff. That’s our goal here. We want everyone to be happy and full. You can tell that some people come down more for the service and atmosphere than just because they’re hungry. There’s not that many options [for places] to eat [in Wartrace], so I like to be the option and be there to serve people in that way,” explains Brewer.
The deli’s menu reflects both the classic and the unique, serving mainly sandwiches, salads, and soups when the weather is cold. The top three requested items are the Reuben, club sandwich, and Strolling Jim, which is made with turkey, pesto, mayo, onions, tomatoes, and provolone cheese and then grilled in the panini press.
The space might be small, but Brewer’s heart for her customers and dreams for her business are not.
“We’re very small right now, and my goal is to get so big that we need a bigger space. I want to outgrow our current location because we have so many people coming in,” she said.
Brewer encourages anyone wanting to be their own boss, regardless of age, to follow their dreams.
“Just go for it. There are so many things in life that, after the fact, you wish you would have at least tried. Put one foot in front of the other, find the information, find the people who know it, and create systems that work for you.”
Brewer transformed an unforeseen opportunity into a thriving community hub, proving that the most extraordinary journeys sometimes begin with a single step taken with courage and determination. The deli is not just a place for a quick meal and conversation but a testament to the unwavering spirit that propels dreams into reality one hearty sandwich at a time. It’s a reminder that passion and tenacity can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, even in the face of adversity. And it’s the heart of our community. GN
