This small building in Dayton’s South Park neighborhood isn’t particularly special in the scheme of things. It’s brick and mortar and cinder block. It’s pipes and paint. It’s not overly large, there isn’t a lot of parking. It’s a building. It’s a building filled with shiny tanks and wooden barrels. Even that doesn’t make it overly special. There are a lot of buildings with those. What makes this building special is everything inside. It’s special through shared tears of joy and sorrow. Its special for laughter and embraces. It’s special for conversations held with a bright-eyed, red-haired bartender and meals cooked with care by regulars and brought in to share for anyone around. It’s the jokes and stories told, pictures taken, and memories made. This building is special because of the people. The people who come here and the people who work here.
Our community lost a dear friend, co-worker, and family member this past weekend. Jessica Ashley Hites left us, unexpectedly, this past Sunday. Jess was a dog and fox lover, bartender, Harry Potter fan, photographer, player of too much pop-punk and emo for ownership’s liking, and an all-around wonderful person. The entire Branch & Bone family is still reeling from the realization that we’ll never get to see Jess behind the bar again. Her outsized smile and personality have been a fixture in the brewery for the past two years, but it feels like she’s been with us since day one.
Jessica was well known in the brewery for her positive disposition, her love of good stouts, and for not realizing how many song lyrics she’d been singing incorrectly since she was a child. She shared time working behind the bar, helping to brew our annual International Women’s Day beer (and trying to pick up every detail of every process along the way), and shooting maternity, family, and wedding photos for many of our staff members. She also shot for Blush Boudoir where her talents helped empower her clients and made them look stunning.
Jessica will be profoundly missed by our staff, regulars, and so many who crossed her path. We offer our sincerest sympathies to her family and friends and to all who loved her.
We’ll miss you, Jessica. You made this place special.
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These beautiful and thoughtful words were written by our brewer Justin Trhlin who has been friends with Jessica for over 15 years.
There will be a visitation this Saturday September 2nd from 1-3pm with ceremony to follow at Beavercreek Newcomer Funeral Home.
Friends and Family will gather at Branch & Bone at 6pm, if you think you are among that group you are and you are welcome. We will be closed to the public all day Saturday.
