# Delta Sources and Resources
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Native Brew Works viewed from across Gee Street.
Photo by Shobhithan Kandasmay.
##### More Than a Brewery:
Native Brew Works
515 South Gee Street
Jonesboro, Arkansas
by Shobhithan Kandasamy
Tucked away on the edge of the West End
Neighborhood on Gee Street in Jonesboro sits
Native Brew Works, a craft brewery and taproom
that has quickly become a community anchor
since opening its doors in 2021. Co-founded by
childhood friends Jackson Spencer, Dustin Hun-
dley, Dustin’s wife Ellen Hundley, and Heath
Gammill, Native Brew Works exemplifies how
pairing the entrepreneurial spirit with thoughtful
placemaking and a commitment to bringing
people together can enrich and uplift a local
community.
##### History and Adaptive Reuse of the Building
The Native Brew Works taproom and brew-
ery inhabits a storied building that exemplifies
the ethos of adaptive reuse and urban renewal.
The crisp renovated exterior of the mid-century
modern building, with its bright neon “Native”
sign, large windows, teal flowerbeds, and wavy
bike stands, contrasts with the neighboring time-
worn commercial buildings. As co-founder Jack-
son Spencer chronicles, “It’s really the original
building constructed back in the forties as an al-
ternator repair shop. In the late fifties and early
sixties, they built across the front and down the
side, had a flat roof with the big windows up
front and then the awning that sticks out hori-
zontally in that mid-century modern style. They
opened it as Brannon Automotive Parts.”
The founders creatively repurposed the inte-
rior by maintaining the industrial identity of the
building through the exposed ductwork stretch-
ing across the ceiling and lit by natural light
through the large windows. Jackson continues re-
counting the building’s many lives over the dec-
ades: “That big brick wall inside was originally
the service counter for the auto shop. Over the
years it’s changed a lot—it’s been a used car lot,
Benjamin Moore paint store, and most recently,
a women’s resale boutique before we took it over.
Before we moved in, half of it was being used by
a construction company for tool storage.” Rather
than tearing the building down, Native Brew
Works embraced its identity and layers of history.
By restoring the iconic mid-century facade, repur-
posing the interior layout that was once a sales
counter, and bringing color into the space
through horizontal stripes derived from their
logo on a painted white brick wall alongside one
side of the building, Native Brew Works breathed
new life into the building.
#### The Origins
The seeds for Native Brew Works were first
planted back in 2011 when Ellen Hundley signed
up herself and her husband Dustin, along with
their friend Jackson, for a homebrewing class at
the local supply store. As Ellen recalls, “I signed
us up for a homebrew class at the local home
brewer supply store. It was just something to do.”
Little did they know at the time that this hobby
would eventually blossom into a full-fledged busi-
ness. As Jackson Spencer explains, “We started
homebrewing and got really into it. We thought
we’re gonna open a brewery back then in our
basement, as everyone who starts home brewing
does.”
While their plans to open their own brewery
straight out of homebrewing class didn’t pan out,
the passion for brewing only grew stronger over
the ensuing years, according to Jackson: “Things
didn’t really work out then to start the brewery.
We moved on with our lives; Dustin kept brew-
ing.” Dustin’s dedication to the craft paid off
with recognition at competitions, as Jackson
notes: “Dustin actually won quite a few awards
[](https://kb.astate.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/image-1786472483689.png)
Interior of Native Brew Works showing the sales counter (left) and repurposed service counter (right).
Photo by Shobhithan Kandasmay.
through homebrew competitions and state fairs,
even got some blue ribbons.”
The early seeds of Native Brew Works lay
dormant for years before unexpectedly sprouting,
thanks to fate and coincidence. As Jackson tells
it, “In 2019 I moved back to Jonesboro and
found out about a permit that allowed breweries
to open in dry counties. I immediately texted
Dustin, who was living in Memphis then, and
said I’m moving back to Jonesboro to open a
brewery. He initially said no way. But four days
later he texted me asking what equipment we
need and how much it’ll cost. I like to say it was
four days sitting in a cubicle that made Dustin
change his mind.”
Jackson wouldn’t have even known about
the permit if not for Dustin’s legendary home-
brew making an impression years prior. As Jack-
son reveals, “The way I found out about the
permit is a funny story. Back in 2015, I was doing
a presentation and Dustin brewed some beer.
Two of our friends tried his coffee beer and loved
it so much. Four years later I ran into them, and
they asked if Dustin still brewed because they still
talked about that coffee beer. Then they told me
about the permit allowing a brewery in dry
counties. If it wasn’t for Dustin’s amazing coffee
beer all those years ago, I may have never learned
we could open Native Brew Works here.”
Choosing the Location
In searching for the perfect location to house
their brewery dreams, the Native Brew Works
team explored options beyond Jonesboro but ul-
timately decided it was the right fit. According to
Jackson Spencer, “Honestly, we looked at differ-
ent areas, but we needed ample space inside for
the brewery, kitchen, and taproom, outdoor
space, and affordable rent. We found all that
here, but also this is our neighborhood.” Being
able to claim Jonesboro as their local community
and contribute to its growth and character added
meaning to the project. As Jackson shares, “I live
three and a half blocks away, Ellen and Dustin
live a few blocks away. It was a cherry on top that
we could help start revitalizing this area.”
Jonesboro’s history as their lifelong home-
town made it all the more poetic to establish
Native Brew Works’ roots here. As Jackson re-
lates, “All three of us were born and raised in Jo-
nesboro, kindergarten through college.
Jonesboro needed something that was part of the
identity and culture, something people would be
proud of and excited to share with visitors.” In
helping spur activity and community in the
slower Gee Street corridor, Native Brew Works
has become the catalyst for urban renewal for
West Jonesboro and is writing the next chapter
for an area filled with history.
Community with a Side of Brew
In conceptualizing their brewery’s brand and
aesthetics, the Native Brew Works team drew in-
spiration from their connection to their home-
town Jonesboro. As Jackson Spencer explains, “It
took a while to come up with the name Native
Brew Works. We were walking down to the river
in Memphis and landed on it. Native means to
be of a place, and we’re all native to Jonesboro.”
By embedding their hometown into the brew-
ery’s name and DNA, they forged an identity
rooted in a sense of place from the very begin-
ning.
While crafting great beer is central to their
mission, fostering community and connected-
ness represents the true ethos of Native Brew
Works. As co-owner Ellen Hundley shares,
“Through the events we do and how we’ve de-
signed the space, we’ve come to see regulars who
come in two, three, four times a week. We’ve
seen people who started as customers have
babies. It’s cool to see it all come full circle.” Co-
founder Jackson Spencer echoes how their cus-
tomers have become extended family. By
prioritizing people and relationships over trans-
actions, Native Brew Works has organically cul-
tivated a community epicenter.
The thoughtful layout of the taproom speaks
to Native Brew Works’ core purpose of bringing
people together. The building consists of a bar
and beer taps alongside the wall that leads to the
brewery behind a glass wall. The seating area con-
[](https://kb.astate.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/image-1786472999047.png)
Interior of Native Brew Works showing semi-private seating booths.
Photo by Shobhithan Kandasmay.
tains tables and chairs for dining, the brick sales
counter repurposed as a bar, and booths that
offer privacy that face the street. There is a space
that can be repurposed for private events, and an
outdoor seating area with lawn chairs lit by string
lights, typically used by groups with children and
pets. As Ellen describes, “The seating is intended
so you come in, order at the bar, then find a
place you may end up interacting with other
groups throughout your time here. It’s about
using the space in a communal way.” Jackson
elaborates on the varied environments their de-
liberate design facilitates: “You’ll notice a lack of
TVs. We do have projectors for events but want
to encourage community and conversation.
There are intimate seating areas, the bar to en-
gage with bartenders, and communal tables in-
side and out. We wanted people to experience
the space differently through the night.”
By nurturing human relationships beyond
merely serving quality beer, Native Brew Works
has become a second home for many. As Jackson
shares, “We wanted to anchor this area and see
regulars two, three nights a week. We’ve really
seen that and feel their support and friendship.”
Simply by fostering communal spaces and experi-
ences authentically, this down-to-earth brewery
has made an indelible impact.
Dry county laws prevent Native Brew Works
from advertising alcoholic beverages, including
its primary product, its beer. The brewery’s social
media presence and website, constrained by dry
county laws that prohibit mentions of alcohol,
are filled with invitations to community events.
From regular themed trivia nights to live music
nights by local artists, and holiday markets, locals
are drawn to Native Brew works for its commu-
nity, with its popular brews such as Buzz Light
Beer, Kolsch Encounter, Rye of the Tiger, Uno
Mas, and Bad Tattoos playing a complementary
role to the experience at the brewery.
In addition to their thoughtfully designed
taproom, Native Brew Works makes community
and camaraderie come alive through events cu-
rated to bring people together, some of which are
hosted in partnership with local organizations.
As Ellen Hundley details, “The events we care-
fully choose to do, we try to partner with others
in the community. We’ve done a barbecue pig
roast with a local barbecue restaurant and a
Friendsgiving meal with other restaurants that
are meant to be communal dining where
strangers become friends.” Ellen adds that a
weekly running club hosted by Native was started
by Lindsay Spencer, co-owner of the nearby Story
Coffeeshop and Jackson’s wife, which built a
great community. Many who didn’t know each
other before now consider each other friends. It’s
become an important part of their week, which
is neat to see.”
Native Brew Works not only fosters commu-
nity through their space and programming but
also outwardly through partnerships amplifying
other area organizations. As Ellen Hundley ex-
plains, their events often incorporate charity
partners like the local food bank. She expounds,
“We are of this community, so we want to sup-
port people who are also doing good for it.”
One way Native Brew Works tangibly sup-
ports women in their industry is through an an-
nual specialty beer release. As co-owner Dustin
Hundley shares, “Every March, for Women’s His-
tory Month, we brew Hazy Woman IPA using a
special Pink Boots hop blend from the Pink
Boots Society, which supports women in beer
through scholarships and education.” Buying
those designated hops and brewing Hazy
Woman, a brew bursting with citrus and herbal
aromatics, provides concrete funding for the Pink
Boots Society’s mission while elevating women
in the beer world.
Native Brew Works makes a point to collabo-
rate with other community members whenever
possible. A great example is their work with
Jamie Couch of Soul Shine Studios yoga studio
on a cancer fundraiser. Jamie was participating
in the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign to honor
his mother and raise money for the American
Cancer Society. Native Brew Works hosted a do-
nation-based yoga event with all proceeds going
to his campaign. They also brewed a special pink
seltzer to help promote his cause and donated a
dollar from every beer sold that day. This type of
creative co-working with other local business
owners like Jamie exemplifies Native Brew
Works’ commitment to supporting Jonesboro’s
broader community. These collaborations spot-
light shared passions while cross-promoting fel-
low small businesses.
Native Brew Works also partners creatively
with neighboring businesses to strengthen the
fabric of the community along Gee Street. Jack-
son Spencer tells of a recent collaboration with
a bookstore just down the block, saying those col-
laborations are fun and help continue revitalizing
the area. By proactively finding ways to cross-pro-
mote and support other nearby small businesses,
Native Brew Works contributes to the health of
its whole ecosystem.
#### Looking Ahead
As a business less than two years young,
Native Brew Works’ story is just beginning. The
owners remain heavily invested in seeing both
their brewery and the surrounding area continue
thriving into the future. While hopeful that laws
eventually change to allow alcohol sales county-
wide, for now, they are proud to operate under
the existing specialty permits. Their sights stay
fixed on strengthening their role as a community
anchor and destination and hope for investments
from the city to upgrade infrastructure in the
area.
By embracing the historic building, honor-
ing the heritage of place, and fostering an inclu-
sive space for connection, Native Brew Works has
become an integral thread in the cultural fabric
of Jonesboro. Their commitment to uplifting the
community and partners around them continues
writing the story of how a homegrown passion
project can evolve into so much more. Only a few
chapters along, Native Brew Works has already
demonstrated the power of investing in people,
creating communal spaces, and building shared
experiences to bring out the best in a community.