Distillery seeing early success with Valparaiso campus
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It’s been three months since Journeyman Distillery completed the first phase of a $40 million project to transform a former windshield wiper factory in Valparaiso into a destination for fans of craft spirits and beer and foodies, alike.
In October, the distillery opened the Union Hall restaurant and three event spaces on the 140,000-square-foot campus at the former ANCO factory, and co-founder Bill Welter says the initial reaction from residents and visitors has been incredibly positive.
“I think people in Valparaiso realize the effort and time and energy that went into the project and have been incredibly supportive in coming out to see it,” Welter said.
But the project isn’t done just yet. Welter told Inside INdiana Business they are preparing to open the next phase of the Valpo campus.
“We’re about to wrap up phase two, which has been the brewing and distilling,” he said. “[I’m] fairly confident that we’ll have our own beer on tap starting in March. The distillery [has] about the same timeline, a little sooner, actually. But we should be producing spirits here in February, March at the latest.”
The Valparaiso location, which is being called The American Factory, is similar to Journeyman’s existing operation in Three Oaks, Michigan. Welter said the distillery portion serves as the lifeblood of the entire operation.
“It’s that commonality that runs through all aspects of the business, the restaurant, the retail, events, you know, the common throughout is distilled spirits, and in Valpo, it’ll be the same but with with beer, and that it’s the main artery. It’s pumping blood through everything,” he said. “So, once those are up and operational, I think the the building itself will take on a little different feel.”
The project has been five years in the making for Welter and his wife, Johanna. A native of Valparaiso, Welter said he was drawn to bringing new life to the abandoned factory site.
“If you grew up in Valpo, that building had some importance in one way or another for a lot of people,” he said. “And then when it comes back to life, people are genuinely moved by it, and they’re excited to see that history remain.”
But there are even more phases for The American Factory in the works. Welter says they are beginning the planning phases for adding a steakhouse on the campus, as well as a karaoke bar that will have a pizza concept with it.
When the weather starts to warm up, Journeyman will add more entertainment options with outdoor spaces that will include a stage for live music.
Welter said he’s already seeing the tourism benefits of the project just in the first three months of operation.
“We’ve had a lot of people that have come to see the project and dine in the restaurant and have events and things like that, and they’ve never been to Valpo,” he said. “So it’s fun for me to hear that, and then I of course encourage them to check the town out and all the businesses and various things, so I think that’s happening.”