Sera Petras Photography
Richard Dynes, Christina Palmeri, Ginger and Mick Houck, Dan and Nicole Knott, and Mark and Cathy Vick formed a "beer board", an operating agreement that's a testament to MJ's influence and the strength of the DamNation community.
That Damn Mary (TDM) opened its doors in Kilmarnock last October after owner Mary Jane Anderson, known as “MJ” to everyone, moved her brewery from Hayes in Gloucester. Despite serious health issues that led to MJ stepping back from operating the brewery, TDM has shown remarkable resilience. Christina Palmeri, Richard Dynes, Ginger and Mick Houck, Dan and Nicole Knott, and Mark and Cathy Vick formed a “beer board”, an operating arrangement that’s a testament to MJ’s influence and the strength of the DamNation community.
Palmeri and Dynes own the block of buildings on West Church Street, which includes TDM and a Domino’s restaurant. Palmeri is the franchise owner of Domino’s. They intend to open the West Church St. Market, which connects to TDM, early this summer. Visitors to TDM will be able to buy food at the market and at Domino’s to enjoy in the taproom. Other plans include making the TDM space available for event rentals and offering patio space.
Palmeri and Dynes say the vision for TDM, Domino’s, and West Church St. Market is simple: make a gathering place where everyone can feel comfortable on the “best little side street in Kilmarnock.”
West Church St. Market will offer a food lineup of “boards, bowls, and baskets.” Think charcuterie boards, bowls that include a grain selection with vegetables or protein, and baskets with homemade pretzels or other sides. They also intend to keep the market open later into the night so folks enjoying beer in the taproom can get something to eat.
That Damn Mary opened in Kilmarnock on West Church Street in October 2024. Pictured above are MJ Anderson with DamNation members and friends who supported her journey to bring the "best damn beer" to the Northern Neck and beyond.
Dynes said Kilmarnock is a standout community. “Everyone is just so friendly here. I can honestly say all our experiences here have been genuinely good,” he said.
Proud Mary is a favorite beer selection among TDM's customers and friends and will be available later this year.
They want to carry on the positive energy and joy MJ is known for. “We see the passion in MJ,” Dynes said. “The people here are down to earth, really good people. We want to take that essence and move forward with it into the future, continuing TDM’s legacy of being that place you go with friends.”
Cassie Anderson-Leichty, MJ’s wife, is grateful for the transition to Palmeri, Dynes and team and for continuing MJ’s legacy.
“MJ has such a passion for brewing damn good beer but even more than that she has a passion and true talent for building a community of friends deeply and firmly rooted in love and positivity,” Anderson-Leichty said. “I am beyond grateful that she crossed paths with Christina and Richard is putting it lightly. They bring the business know-how and the desire to brew great beer to the table, but more importantly, they embody the MJ spirit of love and positivity. Their desire to continue the brewery as a legacy to MJ means so much to me.”
That Damn Mary Brewing Company | 13 West Church Street, Kilmarnock | thatdamnmary.com I Find TDM on Facebook and Instagram.
