Since 2000, Rathskeller Coffee Bar and Pub has been an established social hub for Franklin locals and visitors alike. Next year, 2025 will mark Rathskeller’s 25th Anniversary. As the longest-running publicly open bar in Franklin, Rathskeller offers coffee, food, craft beer, specialty cocktails, live music, and various events. Although the ownership of Rathskeller has changed over the years, the traditions have remained intact by those who have cherished the community created within the weathered-brick walls.
Current owners Thaddeus Pickard and Jennifer Regner first visited Rathskeller in May 2022 and instantly fell in love with the people and atmosphere.
“We watched previous owners Adam Kimsey and Natasha Sebring working behind the bar; they were having so much fun and were joyfully conversing with the customers,” said Pickard. “We began to imagine having our own place like Rathskeller, a place where we could be our own boss – not that bosses are bad, but just to have that freedom. We thought it would be nice to work together as husband and wife. That was said on a Wednesday night, and less than a week and a half later, the previous owners put a ‘For Sale’ sign on the door.”
The previous owners were very selective about who would succeed them and were focused on finding a caretaker rather than an ordinary business monger.
“It is a testament to their character to be so selective, to choose us in order to protect Rathskeller’s tradition and community,” said Regner.
Coming together
Before assuming the role as an owner of Rathskeller, Pickard was a middle school teacher specializing in English, with his last position at Cherokee Middle School. Pickard attended Flagler College for his undergraduate degree in St. Augustine, Fla. Later, he would attend Western Carolina University (WCU) to obtain his master’s degree in teaching, and he has lived in Western North Carolina ever since. He also has 45 years of experience playing and coaching soccer, and he still plays in his free time. Pickard has traveled all over the world, working in restaurants in England and New Zealand. Additionally, his father was a professor at the University of Florida, where in the last years of his teaching, would offer a film survey course. Pickard fell in love with film and started his own film company. Two years ago, one of his films won several awards.
Upon receiving her undergraduate degree in business administration at Western Carolina University, Regner has lived in the Macon County area since 1998. She has worked in restaurants in Highlands, including Lakeside Restaurant, as a wine buyer, utilizing her knowledge of fine wines from all over the world. Prior to assuming ownership of Rathskeller, she also maintained an event-planning business.
Pickard and Regner met in March 2021 and began dating shortly after. The couple closed the deal to purchase Rathskeller on Nov.1, 2022, and were wed on stage inside Rathskeller on Nov. 11, 2022. Sebring and Kimsey were witnesses to the occasion.
“To move in together, to buy a business, to leave our careers – any one of those is tough in itself, and we did them back-to-back. We knew stressors would come, but together we can handle anything,” said Pickard.
The couple officially opened Rathskeller under new ownership on Dec. 3, 2022.
No strangers
The essence of Rathskeller might be summed up in a quote by Irish poet W.B. Yeats (1865-1939): “There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.”
“The people you meet at Rathskeller are truly family,” said Regner. “Rathskeller offers a family friendly bar with the reputation of making customers feel safe and at home.”
“A lot of people say they feel safe here; we have a foosball table and board games for the kids in the back, while the parents can have a drink while listening to live music in the front,” shared Pickard, adding that Rathskeller offers a diverse cultural immersion with a local feel. “I have lived in England and New Zealand. I am not main street; I am backstreet. I like the local places.”
Later this year, Rathskeller plans to add a food truck in order to offer even more food options, such as paninis, salads, soups and other healthy street food-inspired dishes. The food truck will be owned and operated by Rathskeller. Food will be made holistically and without being fried in oil, and vegan and gluten-free options will be offered.
While many drink options are currently available at the Rathskeller bar, Regner recommends the Espresso Martini, which is made with a real espresso shot from ground coffee beans by Dynamite Roasters out of Black Mountain, N.C.
Rathskeller, at 58 Stewart Street (behind Main Street in Franklin) is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. Nightlife events are offered weekly with karaoke every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., trivia on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., and live music every Friday and Saturday.