19 Aug West Fork Whiskey Co. Announces 35,000 SF Agritourism Facility in Westfield
Local Distillery Set to be One of the Largest Craft Whiskey Distilleries in the Country
INDIANAPOLIS (August 19, 2020) — Local craft whiskey distillery West Fork Whiskey Co. announced today plans for a 35,000 sq. ft. agritourism facility in Westfield. With the additional capacity, West Fork Whiskey will be one of the largest craft whiskey distilleries in the country.
The $10M+, 12+ acre development, located on the northeast corner of 191 Street and Horton Road across from Grand Park, will be one of the largest agritourism experiences in Indiana. Designed to be a family friendly destination, the project features a 5,000 sq. ft. event center, retail space, a 4,000 sq. ft. restaurant with a cocktail lounge, a speakeasy, as well as additional production and aging space, all taking design cues from the current space in downtown Indianapolis. In an effort to emphasize Hoosier culture and people, the restaurant will highlight Indiana agriculture, flavors, and artisanal products.
image credit: West Fork Whiskey
“We’re looking to change the regional and national perception of Indiana as a whiskey producing state while creating an approachable and interactive experience,“ said Blake Jones, Co-Founder at West Fork Whiskey Co. “This project is an incredible opportunity for our team to provide visitors a complete whiskey experience beyond our downtown tasting room, which will include facility tours, tasting classes, and a variety of educational components.”
“We built Grand Park to create a commercial tax base and when companies, like West Fork, decide to invest here, it shows this strategy is working for our city,” said Westfield Mayor Andy Cook. “We want innovative and community-minded companies, like West Fork, to bring their energy to Westfield. I am excited that they want to grow roots here.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered West Fork Whiskey Co. up to $450,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired. In addition, the Westfield City Council will consider additional incentives in the form of tax abatements on both real and personal property.
Upon approval of zoning and local incentives, the first phase of the Westfield expansion is expected to break ground in 2021, with potential of future phases to include additional outdoor amenities along with more acreage. Holladay Properties has been named the real estate developer for the project, which is in part financed through local partner, Merchants Bank of Indiana.
West Fork Whiskey Co. continues to create an approachable craft experience and is hell-bent on producing great Indiana whiskey. In 2019, the company resurrected the historic Indiana whiskey brand, Old Hamer, followed by the release of Cold Hamer cocktails, the Highball and Snapback, making it the only Indiana-based distillery to offer bourbon canned cocktails.
About West Fork Whiskey Co.
Established in 2015, West Fork Whiskey Co. distills and produces high-quality, approachable craft whiskeys, always using 100% Indiana ingredients, grain to glass. Our Indianapolis tasting room and distillery is open six days a week offering a full cocktail menu, bottle carryout, tours, and special events. For more information, please visit www.westforkwhiskey.com.
About Holladay Properties
Holladay Properties is a commercial real estate development and property management firm based in South Bend, IN. With more than 240 employees in a variety of specialties working from about 25 offices throughout the eastern half of the U.S., Holladay has the knowledge, experience, and people to complete any type of project for any kind of client. For more information, please visit www.holladayproperties.com.
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