The ice has been broken for the opening of a new distillery and restaurant in which the feature product might be darn good on the rocks.
Okotoks dignitaries and investors were on hand for the groundbreaking for the proposed Firehall Distillers and Bistro Feb. 8 at 34 McRae St. — the location of the former town firehall in the 1950s.
“We’re shooting for the end of October with a soft launch at the end of November,” said John Hromyk, founder of Two Pine Ventures, who are bringing the facility to Okotoks. “In December we will open the restaurant for Christmas parties.”
Firehall Distillers will have a 3,000 sq. ft. distillery, a 3,500 sq.-foot farm-to-table bistro and patio, as well as a gift shop. The featured product will be SNODAY gin, vodka and a single-malt spirit.
Hromyk said the business friendly atmosphere helped convince him to come to Okotoks.
“In under a year we were able to buy this land, have it fully rezoned and fully get our development permit in,” Hromyk said. “If we can do that in nine months, in a location like this, have this amazing downtown which is under a revitalization plan and be part of anchoring an entertainment district — we want to be part of that.”
The facility will have heritage-feel look to it — capturing the spirit of the old firehall, which sat east across the street from Monkey Mountains Toys and Games.
Hromyk said he anticipates the distillers and bistro will initially employ 30-35 people.
Priddis’ Gianni Sgambaro invested in the future Firehall distillery and bistro.
“We enjoy investing local and in the community,” Sgambaro said. “There’s an investment here in Okotoks and we area also involved in the one in Bragg Creek. We are real Albertans and we love investing in Alberta.”
A distillery is planned for Bragg Creek with the ground to be broken the summer.
Wanting to invest in Alberta doesn’t mean throwing good money away. Sgambaro feels Firehall Distillers is a sound investment.
“Why? Because we chatted with John and went through everything," he said. "We feel very comfortable. Right now there are a lot of breweries that are going on in the province and distilleries is something we feel can prosper.”
Brett Schonekess, the head distiller, said SNODAY offers a unique taste.
“Every craft product has a distinct taste to it — that's the benefit of craft,” Schonekess said.
He said the Bragg Creek facility will have a bigger footprint, but Okotoks will be the flagship.
“It (Firehall) is also combining the restaurant hospitality aspect to it,” Schonekess said.
Both Hromyk and Schonekess said it plans to complement existing restaurants and businesses in the area.
Schonekess said it would have no issues with having craft beers from the area on tap at the Firehall restaurant.
In fact, there are tentative plans to have a SNODAY spirit infused beer sold at Hub Town Brewing on Elizabeth Street for Valentine’s Day.
Mayor Bill Robertson said the Firehall will be a welcomed addition to Okotoks.
“I have bragged about this to many of my friends,” Robertson said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “The cool architecture — I am absolutely blown away with what this is going to do to this area of town…This is a very important reflection on how our community is flourishing.”
A 1956 fire truck was parked at the ceremony — the same truck that would have parked at the firehall when not being used to help the community.
SNODAY products are available at some Okotoks liquor stores.
