McKenzie, TN – May 14, 2025 – Matt and Anne-Marie Tanner, the entrepreneurial duo behind West Tennessee Brewing, have made significant strides toward their vision of opening a taproom in every county across West Tennessee. Their journey began in Henry County with the launch of Paris Station, a unique taproom and restaurant that quickly became one of the county’s premier destinations.
Located in the heart of Paris, Tennessee, Paris Station is home to the Paris Tap Room, a community venue offering equal shares of flavor and culture. The venue is celebrated not only for its fresh, seasonal cuisine and live music but also for the immersive atmosphere rooted in the building’s historic charm.
The Tanners didn’t stop there. Within just six months of launching Paris Station, they expanded their venture to McKenzie, a rural community poised for growth. There, they transformed a former church annex into the second location of West Tennessee Brewing: The McKenzie Tap Room.
“Even though the Paris Tap Room had only been open for six months at that point, we saw the vision,” said Anne-Marie. “McKenzie was poised for new business and we knew that our business made sense there.”
The couple worked closely with the McKenzie County Chamber of Commerce and City Mayor Ryan Griffin to bring the vision to life, later forging a relationship with Carroll County Mayor Joseph Butler. According to Anne-Marie, the process—from purchasing and restoring the building to securing permits—was completed in less than three months.
“Everyone was easy to talk to, from the mayors to the councilmen and the Chamber of Commerce,” she said. “They were all very accommodating, making it easy to create great relationships. There was less red tape and bureaucracy. They recognized an opportunity to recruit new business and made the entire process convenient. Starting a new business can seem intimidating but in cases like this, it was so easy.”
Anne-Marie, who also works as a business consultant for The Mill Workspace in Dyersburg, TN, has long been committed to revitalizing rural West Tennessee. She is an advocate for small business development that breathes new life into small towns and underutilized historic properties.
“My husband and I got tired of seeing old downtowns getting shut down and boarded up,” she said. “These older buildings in rural areas can be easy to restore and very affordable. I really think that younger generations should start considering what they want the landscape of their downtown to look like. The impact of small business on rural areas is substantial. When you can start a business with ease, like we have in McKenzie, it’s encouraging and shows you just how easy it can be.
With two successful locations now operating in Henry and Carroll counties, the Tanners are making steady progress on their mission to bring locally brewed beer, quality family dining, and community-oriented spaces to every corner of West Tennessee.
About Mill Workspace:
A DBA of Northwest Tennessee Entrepreneurship, Inc., The Mill Workspace is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entrepreneur center located in Dyersburg, TN. Serving the nine counties of Northwest Tennessee, The Mill offers one-on-one business counseling, workshops, and multi-week programs aimed at helping businesses launch and thrive.
Programs at The Mill are funded in part by a grant from LaunchTN.
