'Non-Bar' New Offers Alternative For Young Adults
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12/21/2007 - BEMUS POINT — Andy Frudd is not a typical bar owner. In fact, he's not a bar owner at all.
Frudd is the director of young adult ministry at Bemus Point United Methodist Church. He is also the brains behind the Flip Side Young Adult Center.
Frudd wanted to create a place where young adults — people between the ages of 20 and 40 — could come together, enjoy each other's company and build relationships.
To do so, he looked to the major gathering place for young adults: the bar.
''There are some big similarities between a church and a bar,'' Frudd said. ''The bartender acts like the pastor. The bar is like the altar. The average bar around here has eight to 10 regular customers. It's like a family.''
Frudd said churches often have a difficult time making young people feel comfortable, but the bar setting is naturally conducive to geniality, and that is the atmosphere Frudd wants to project.
''We decided to build a place that is totally non-threatening, built based on the bar setting. The only difference is it's non-alcoholic,'' Frudd said.
Located in the old Bemus Point Hardware Store at 8 Alburtus Ave., Flip Side features a large interior with two conversation areas, dining tables, a bar, a stage and a game area.
The decor is warm and attractive, and the original sign from the hardware store still hangs over the stage, distinctive but not incongruous.
There are two flat-screen TVs on which football games can be found on Sunday afternoons, a dart board, foosball and air hockey tables and a Nintendo Wii video game system.
Flip Side has been open since November, and Frudd said the response so far has been slow but positive.
''There hasn't been anybody who's walked in and hasn't been excited,'' Frudd said.
The opening of Flip Side comes at a time of overall expansion for the church, with officials looking for new ways to serve a great and growing young population.
''For too long the church has been rather passive in pursuing a healthy social environment for young adults. This is obviously a unique endeavor to see if there is a need for young people to connect in a non-bar atmosphere,'' said Dan McBride, BPUMC senior pastor.
In January, Flip Side will begin to host special events designed to draw a greater crowd, including live music and an open-ended discussion series call Uncensored, where people will gather for informal discussions on a wide range of topics including workplace, parenting and singles issues.
Although the focus of the center will remain on young adults, the church wants to cast as wide a net as possible. To that end, Flip Side plans to host monthly family or over 40s nights, a Sunday morning adult Sunday school class and a variety of small group meetings during the week.
The space will also be available to rent by community groups or individuals for private functions.
According to Frudd, his intent is not to compete with area bars and restaurants, but to offer an alternative for anyone who wants to hang out at the ''non-bar''.
''It's kind of a different philosophy. We don't have the pressure. We don't have to make money. We can just go with what God gives us,'' Frudd said. ''We just want people to come give it a check-out and see if they can use it.''
Frudd also extended an invitation to other area churches in the hopes that they can find a use for the center.
Flip Side is open Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m.
For more information, call 386-3401 or e-mail suzanneallen@bpumc.com.
Frudd is the director of young adult ministry at Bemus Point United Methodist Church. He is also the brains behind the Flip Side Young Adult Center.
Frudd wanted to create a place where young adults — people between the ages of 20 and 40 — could come together, enjoy each other's company and build relationships.
To do so, he looked to the major gathering place for young adults: the bar.
''There are some big similarities between a church and a bar,'' Frudd said. ''The bartender acts like the pastor. The bar is like the altar. The average bar around here has eight to 10 regular customers. It's like a family.''
Frudd said churches often have a difficult time making young people feel comfortable, but the bar setting is naturally conducive to geniality, and that is the atmosphere Frudd wants to project.
''We decided to build a place that is totally non-threatening, built based on the bar setting. The only difference is it's non-alcoholic,'' Frudd said.
Located in the old Bemus Point Hardware Store at 8 Alburtus Ave., Flip Side features a large interior with two conversation areas, dining tables, a bar, a stage and a game area.
The decor is warm and attractive, and the original sign from the hardware store still hangs over the stage, distinctive but not incongruous.
There are two flat-screen TVs on which football games can be found on Sunday afternoons, a dart board, foosball and air hockey tables and a Nintendo Wii video game system.
Flip Side has been open since November, and Frudd said the response so far has been slow but positive.
''There hasn't been anybody who's walked in and hasn't been excited,'' Frudd said.
The opening of Flip Side comes at a time of overall expansion for the church, with officials looking for new ways to serve a great and growing young population.
''For too long the church has been rather passive in pursuing a healthy social environment for young adults. This is obviously a unique endeavor to see if there is a need for young people to connect in a non-bar atmosphere,'' said Dan McBride, BPUMC senior pastor.
In January, Flip Side will begin to host special events designed to draw a greater crowd, including live music and an open-ended discussion series call Uncensored, where people will gather for informal discussions on a wide range of topics including workplace, parenting and singles issues.
Although the focus of the center will remain on young adults, the church wants to cast as wide a net as possible. To that end, Flip Side plans to host monthly family or over 40s nights, a Sunday morning adult Sunday school class and a variety of small group meetings during the week.
The space will also be available to rent by community groups or individuals for private functions.
According to Frudd, his intent is not to compete with area bars and restaurants, but to offer an alternative for anyone who wants to hang out at the ''non-bar''.
''It's kind of a different philosophy. We don't have the pressure. We don't have to make money. We can just go with what God gives us,'' Frudd said. ''We just want people to come give it a check-out and see if they can use it.''
Frudd also extended an invitation to other area churches in the hopes that they can find a use for the center.
Flip Side is open Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m.
For more information, call 386-3401 or e-mail suzanneallen@bpumc.com.
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