(New stretch goal of $100,000. See update)
Republic Restoratives is a small batch, women-owned distillery and craft cocktail bar in Washington, DC launching soon.
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Republic Restoratives stands for community, authenticity and most of all friendship. We believe that cocktails create community, and that you, our customers, are at the core of what we do and why we do it. Our goal is to create experiences where people feel as connected to Republic Restoratives and to our products as they do to one another.
But first, a little bit about us.
We are Pia and Rachel. We met 33 years ago. We have been having fun, learning and taking risks together ever since. And along the way, we discovered bourbon. The transient nature of a beautifully crafted glass of whiskey is at the heart of so many of life's best moments. About 5 years ago, we started talking about opening our own distillery. Pia's background is in politics, media and strategic consulting. Rachel has built a successful career in sustainable natural resource development. These were casual conversations at first but when life threw us each a wrench, we decided that no time was like the present.
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So what are we going to make for you?
While we perfect our whiskey through maturation, we will first offer you a vodka of the highest purity. You can craft vodka from many different things, but we will use eastern sweet corn. This vodka will be clean, smooth and light, and will be the direct beneficiary of our proprietary charcoal-polish process.
We strive to make an exceedingly approachable bourbon. Not too sweet, not too hot. Aged for just long enough, and never over-oaked. Think delicious, distinctive bourbon. The classic bottle you search for first, the legendary shot you ask for by name at your favorite corner bar.
Stay tuned for upcoming updates on rye, cordials and more vodka releases.
We are not your average distillery.
We are going to make terrific products - most start-up distilleries don't have professional master distillers involved. But we do. We saw a lot of our comrades in the industry trying to wing it when it came to recipe development, aging programs and physical plant development. There is a lot you can learn on the internet and by reading books but there is nothing like having the old fashioned wisdom of an experienced master distiller on hand.
We will have a unique custom designed and built still - our master distiller, Berle "Rusty" Figgins Jr. is a jack-of-all-trades and a character in his own right. In addition to his skills as a winemaker and distiller, he also designs distillation systems like the the Friggin' Figgins Reciprocator (shown below). Our still will not only be the largest in DC, it will be a one-of-a-kind and the largest of its kind. We can't wait to fire it up and show you how it works and the amazing spirits that it will produce.
We aren't just a distillery, we are a craft cocktail bar - Thanks to the terrific leadership of the city council and Mayor, the District of Columbia has one of the most accommodating distillery regulation laws in the country. Not only will you be able to tour our operating distillery, but you can also just come in for some delicious cocktails. Sit at the Republic restoratives bar and meet other neighbors and friends who have helped make this community distillery happen.
Our building is on a prominent corner - when you think 'distillery' you probably think of a farm in Kentucky or an estate in Scotland, right? If any of you have ever been to an urban distillery, it was probably a little off the beaten path. Our building is on a corner of New York Avenue, NE where 80,000 commuters pass each day.
Here's where we are:
We've been working for the last 2 years to get us to where we are today. We signed a long lease, recently received our permit to distill, completed our architecture and construction drawings, finished our recipe development and have most of our equipment on order. We are now in the middle of a big capital raise push. Don't forget, we're doing this from the ground up and we aren't underwritten by anyone but our friends, family and YOU. Once we finish raising money, we'll start the build-out and flip the switch on our still.
So how do you fit in?
Have you ever invested in a distillery? Well now is your chance! Our products are only months away from reaching you, but we can't get there without your help. In order to build and fit-out our warehouse with the gorgeous distilling equipment you will see from our casual cocktail lounge while sipping our premium quality spirits you will smell and taste, we need your contribution to help us reach our goal of $75,000.
This money will help us pay for the remainder of our $65,000 still and fermenting tanks, the stools for you to sit and sip in at the bar, our first shipment of 50 American white oak barrels ($500/each) to age your bourbon in, our first order of bottles and expensive but mandatory high hazard, explosion proof lights.
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Will my investment really make a difference?
Your impact is larger than words. You will help create the
moments that propel life. Think of everything realized, decided and solved over
a great cocktail. The good and bad of life. And for this project specifically,
you will have the chance to be part of creating a next generation distillery.
We aren’t funded by any of the big liquor conglomerate conglomerates; we aren’t funded by
one single family; we are funded by YOU. And when you’re 85 years old sitting
in a rocker on your porch holding a glass of Republic Restoratives bourbon, you’ll
have something to be proud of.
Soon, you'll be lounging in our craft cocktail bar and retail shop.
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This all sounds great but what are the risks?
- In 2013,
whiskey sales achieved it's fastest growth rate since the 1960’s
- The
BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries are increasingly demanding American
luxury goods. Don’t forget: bourbon can only legally be made in the USA.
- And
most importantly, craft spirits are on the rise: between 2010 and 2014
craft sales grew by 80%.
What else can I do to help?
Thought you'd never ask! Please share this campaign on Facebook, Twitter and E-mail using the Indiegogo tools at the top left of this page. The more we can spread the word about this community distillery opportunity, the better we'll all be.
