American 'shopkeeper' Brad glad to put down roots in Wujiang, Suzhou

Brad, an American "shopkeeper," has been living and building his business in Wujiang for eight years. The restaurant he co-founded with a friend, Twin Tails Brewing, has become a favorite gathering spot for many local residents and expats alike.

Brad first set foot in China in 2011 and was hired by the International Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) as an art teacher. There, he met Qian Jiao, a young woman from Wujiang who was also teaching in the international department. After getting married, the couple decided to return to Wujiang to start their own business. In 2018, Brad, his wife, and his friend Andrew joined hands to establish Twin Tails Brewing in Wujiang. Brad and Andrew were born in the Year of the Dog and have always been fond of pets, so they named the restaurant "Twin Tails," embedding their original aspiration to accompany each other on the journey of entrepreneurship and pursue their dreams together.

In the early days of the business, challenges emerged one after another. The first store was located in an industrial zone beside a provincial highway, resulting in low footfall. To adapt, they diversified offerings and expanded food and beverage formats. Brad and his friend personally built brick ovens and baked handmade pizzas, meticulously tweaking recipes to perfect the taste and flavor of Western dishes like fried chicken and burgers. When many customers found the craft beer selection "too bitter," Brad and his partner introduced light beer to suit local palates.

"Wujiang boasts a well-developed economy, convenient transportation, and a strong international atmosphere," Brad noted. Over the years, he has witnessed a growing number of international friends settling down and working in Wujiang. Since its opening, the restaurant has welcomed guests from all over the world. What makes him feel even more secure is Wujiang's high-quality business environment. "Whenever we encountered difficulties during our entrepreneurial journey, the relevant government departments were always the first to offer assistance," Brad said. He specifically mentioned the new store by the East Taihu Lake. From site selection to opening day, various issues were actively coordinated and efficiently resolved by the government. "There's always someone there to help you solve your problems, which gives entrepreneurs a great sense of relief."

Brad (left) and his friend Andrew

The responsive government services have allowed this foreign entrepreneur to put down deep roots in Wujiang. Today, Twin Tails Brewing operates two physical stores in Suzhou, with its brewery located in Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province. This has formed an operational model of "in-store experience and sales + factory R&D and production." Through this model, the brand is steadily expanding its scale, broadening Brad's entrepreneurial path.

Brad's restaurant specializes in American-style craft beer and Western cuisine. Since arriving in Wujiang, he has developed a taste for Suzhou-style noodles, as well as Wujiang's river shrimp and hairy crabs. "Compared to big cities, Wujiang offers a more relaxed pace of life, a superior ecological environment, and high-quality educational resources. It is truly a livable city," he said, adding that he has long regarded Wujiang as his second hometown. In the restaurant, local foodies often sample authentic American craft beer, while expats follow the aroma to find a taste of home. Brad loves chatting with his guests, listening to their stories about Wujiang and sharing his own experiences in the United States and China. He says that the warmth, openness, and inclusiveness of Wujiang are all brewed into every glass of craft beer he serves.

From the beaches of Miami to the lakeside green spaces of East Taihu, and from Beijing to Suzhou, Brad has strung together the trajectory of his life with glass after glass of craft beer. On the land of this water town, he has found not only the direction of his career but also a place to call home. As he puts it, "Wujiang is a wonderful place, and I am incredibly glad that I chose to put down roots here."

Source：iSuzhou