The past year held some big changes for Greg and Ann Humes, who opened their bar in downtown Redmond last year as a Growler USA affiliate before switching to an independent operation.

The couple said they came to the decision with the franchise that it wasn’t a good fit for the neighborhood.

“It was a smart business decision on our part,” Greg Humes said.

With this new found freedom, the couple is stocking more import beers, adding more variety in their food and reducing the number of taps from 105 to 75 to make room for local liquors.

This is the Humes’ first time running a business. They currently employ around 15 employees as well as working at the bar themselves.

“I’m excited about every new kind of opportunity that comes our way,” Ann Humes said.

Greg said he curates the beer selection and Ann handles the food side of the operation.

On a recent Friday afternoon, he was helping to manage the bar while Anne Humes was out shopping for food.

The couple said they try and shop for local produce as much as possible, ranging across the Eastside looking for food to serve.

Reid MacDonald is the head chef at the Hop House, and described the establishment as a gastropub.

They serve a variety of food from sandwiches, wings, shepherd’s pie and soups.

They’re in the process of downsizing their menu and honing in on items to specialize in.

“We are in the process of changing things up and focusing ourselves,” MacDonald said.

The Hop House offers food for residents of all ages. It has has a happy hour weekdays from 3-6 p.m.

Aside from food, Greg Humes said they’re interested in showcasing local brews.

Nearly every brewery in Redmond, and many from the Eastside and across the state, are served.

The Hop House put on an Eastside brewers showcase this year, where 17 breweries were represented on 40 taps.

They are planning another showcase in May.

Even with a reduced number of taps, Greg Humes said they’re still committed to keeping brews at the forefront of their business.

“I’m still able to give a good representative sample of every kind of beer there is,” he said.

There is on-street parking for customers, as well as shared covered parking beneath the building.

Other changes are in the works too, including a monthly open mic night and more fundraisers for local causes.

Ann Humes said as they become more established, she hopes their customers will suggest ways they can better suit the needs of the community.

“As more people discover who we are, I think more and more ideas are going to come to us,” she said.

In a previous Reporter article from 2016, Ann Humes said she previously worked for Microsoft before being laid off.

She looked at various franchise prospects, including eyelash extensions, yoga and smoothie operations, before finally settling on a bar and restaurant, hoping to enhance the community.

The Hop House is located at 8300 160th Ave. N.E.