Founders Kip Imperato & Drew Horne have known each other for over three decades and had joked about opening a bar together for years. But like all good jokes, there was a premise and timing that led to this special corner in Canton.

Kip had moved to the Baltimore area in 2013 to pursue veterinarian medicine and opened YNWA Veterinary Hospital in Canton during 2020. All this while, Drew was managing craft beer bars in NYC and then Philadelphia. Occasionally a text would be sent with a building listing somewhere in the greater Baltimore area of “What do you think of this one?!” The timing just never seemed right, though.

In the winter of 2024, a text message was sent saying “I think I finally found our bar. One of my clients is selling their place that’s right near the hospital. What do you think?” A phone call immediately ensued that led late into the night about everything that could be created. The name came after a bit, but both Kip and Drew had dog’s named Jack who were without a doubt man’s best friend. Since they were both very happy boys, why not The HappyJack Tavern?

As they say, the rest is history.