MetroNOME brewery owner named
Encore Entrepreneur of the Year

By Jake Spitzack | Staff Writer | July 2026

Bill Eddins has a passion for music and beer and he isn’t afraid to take risks. It’s the melding of those two loves that earned him the honor of being named 2026 Encore Entrepreneur of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration Minnesota District. He was selected out of more than 25 nominees for the award, which recognizes successful entrepreneurs who start a business at age 50 or older.

Eddins is approaching the 5-year anniversary of founding Lowertown’s MetroNOME brewery and the MetroNOME Foundation, which gives a portion of proceeds from the brewery’s sales to support youth music education. If you’re doing the math, you’ll note that he started the business when the world was being rocked by COVID-19.

metronome brewery owner bill eddins — Bill Eddins

“It’s been a real struggle,” he said. “The world that has started to emerge from COVID is not the one that went into COVID …. There have been so many political, social and economic factors working against us. It’s really incredible that we’re still open. We should have closed on multiple occasions…. I’m exhausted. I just hope that there is still a future for this organization because there are more people than me who believe in this.”

Eddins is also a professional musician of considerable renown – a pianist and award-wining conductor – who continues to perform and conduct locally and across the country. He was the music director of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for 12 years and has also served as associate conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra and resident conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, among others. He has been a frequent guest conductor of major orchestras around the world.

The name of his enterprise is both a musical reference and an acronym: metronome as in the device that keeps tempo for musicians while practicing, and NOME stands for Nurturing Outstanding Music Education. Eddins said the business likely wouldn’t have lasted this long – or perhaps have been founded at all – if not for the mission fueling it. Proceeds from MetroNOME provide musical instruments, lessons and education for underprivileged youth in the Twin Cities. He was quick to credit his 16-member staff for their devotion to supporting the Lowertown community, stepping up to manage operations when he’s on the road, and bringing the business’s mission to life.

Overcoming challenges
The business faces a few uphill battles, including annual street work downtown, parking limitations, negative perceptions about Lowertown’s safety, and patrons who have increasingly less discretionary income to spend on entertainment. He is looking for a new co-owner to help steer the ship. Matt Engstrom, co-founder of the brewery, recently moved on to another venture.

This spring, MetroNOME hosted a meeting with about 20 other small business owners to discuss an initiative designed to keep businesses in Lowertown and Downtown afloat. Preliminary ideas have centered on simple improvements such as repainting buildings and improving lighting. Eddins said the mayor’s office has been responsive to his outreach and had a representative at the meeting.

“We’re trying to get some love for downtown to really revitalize it,” he said. “It feels a little tired right now. It just needs new businesses. It needs some tender loving care. It needs rethinking about how businesses can thrive here…. We just want to be heard and have the opportunity to be successful. We think that it [Lowertown] could really be a really up-and-coming neighborhood like it once was.”

Live music is a weekly staple at MetroNOME’s intimate underground venue dubbed Fingal’s Cave, and Eddins said it has hosted more than 1,000 performances since opening, at least half of which have been free. The venue brings in everything from high school jazz groups to some of the most talented musicians in the country. The famed trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis performed there last year, and professional musicians from orchestras Eddins conducts also play there. Proceeds from the brewery have supported local organizations such as Walker West Music Academy, and MetroNOME splits tickets proceeds with youth bands that play there.

“The parents of the kids who are playing are in our audience, and the pride and joy they have just brings tears to my eyes,” said Eddins. “We did not start this to be a brewery. We started this to be the mission, and the brewery is part of the mission, which is music education. It’s about trying to do something that is beneficial for our greater society. When kids are allowed to do things that are creative, that build their confidence in themselves…then that is a benefit for our society. Music teaches confidence. Music teaches coordination. Music teaches being able to communicate.”

The brewery offers ales, seltzers and other brews on tap, including some new lagers carefully concocted by brewmaster Donald Pacher, who has more than 20 years’ experience. MetroNOME also distributes products to more than 50 locations in the Twin Cities – including CHS Field and The Gnome in St. Paul and the Chidren’s Theatre in Minneapolis – fulfilling a dream Eddins once had when he was a home brewer. The brewery offers pizza and snacks and allows outside food for enjoyment alongside a brew.

“I was thrilled and delighted [to get the award],” said Eddins. “It’s a great honor to be recognized for what it is that you’re trying to bring to your community. It’s reflective of the people who we have working here, our culture and just the belief that this mission engenders in people that they want to be a part of it and they want it to succeed.”

The business is located at 289 E. 5th St. Hours are 4-10 p.m., Mon-Thurs.; 3-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m., Saturday; and noon-8 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 651-317-9080 or visit metronomebrewery.com.