all you need is
a passion for beer and some good neighbors

Der Nachbar is co-owned by two families, Gert & Erin Blüschke and Eric & Laura Cannon. We are neighbors who met in the summer of 2020 when the world slowed down and long walks through the neighborhood were an everyday adventure (sometimes even twice a day). Each of our families had young children and we initially bonded over discussions about our similar experiences navigating parenthood during a global pandemic. At first, we would all just happen to run into each other on these neighborhood walks but as our friendship grew, we exchanged numbers and started to make solid plans to meet up in the early evening for “beverage walks.” With strollers, strider bikes, and small wagons in tow, our families spent a lot of time walking and talking together through the neighborhood. The idea for Der Nachbar materialized during this time spent together. Along the way, we had the opportunity to meet and connect with many of our other neighbors. Even though the year 2020 was the height of isolation, uncertainty, and an overwhelming feeling that our world had been turned upside down, we were able to find the company, connection, and sense of community that we needed right within our own neighborhood.  

Eric and Laura are both North Carolina natives. Their choice to ultimately land in Durham was an easy one, as they fell in love with all that the Bull City has to offer and knew it was the perfect place to raise a family. They have two young children that they love and adore, as well as a sweet dog named Hudson. Laura works as a school psychologist and Eric is an attorney (non-practicing), who currently works in the higher education/clinical research sector.     

Erin grew up in Ohio, and Gert is from a small town in southern Germany. They met when Gert’s family hosted Erin as part of a German-American student exchange program, and the rest is history! Job opportunities brought Erin down from Ohio and Gert over from Germany to start a life together in Durham. Now they have three kids. Transplants turned Durhamites, Gert and Erin are very happy to be a part of this local community. Working together on this startup has been a realized dream, and they are glad to have found the Cannons… the perfect business partners!

Der Nachbar is the German translation for “the neighbor,” which is very fitting as the name of our shop given our relationship as owners as well as a good descriptor of the community we are aiming to create… it also happens to be the perfect play on words!