The Block Distilling Co. plans to open its doors next month in an area that's sure to draw heaps of people.
Odell Brewing Co. and Shake Shack are expected to come in near where The Block plans to sling cocktails in the River North section of Five Points. The distillery's grand opening at 2990 Larimer St. is set for noon on Dec. 16.
Kraig Weaver is opening the distillery with his fiancee, Michelle Flake, and brother, Kameron Weaver. The trio plans to start out with clear spirits like gin and vodka as well as a grappa that The Infinite Monkey Theorem collaborated to produce.
In the future, Kraig Weaver said he hopes to collaborate with Odell and other producers in the area. The Fort Collins-based craft brewery announced earlier this year that it plans to open a taproom at 2945 Larimer St.
In January, Shake Shack Inc. announced it plans to open a burger joint at the northwest corner of 30th and Larimer streets in 2018. The New York-based restaurant chain did not share any new details Wednesday about its opening.
"We look forward to all of the businesses that are coming in," Weaver said. "We see growth in the neighborhood as a good thing, but how that growth happens is much debated."
The debate around growth and the gentrification it's often paired with came to a head last week after ink! Coffee, about a block southeast of The Block, posted a sign that read, "Happily gentrifying the neighborhood since 2014."
Weaver did not want to comment on the situation with ink! directly but said he hopes to find ways to give back to his neighborhood including working with other businesses and hiring people from the area.
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Business & data reporter Adrian D. Garcia can be reached via email at [email protected] or twitter.com/adriandgarcia.
