When Urban Distilleries closed their location in Kelowna’s North End in 2019, there was plenty of excitement.
They moved into a new West Kelowna space that was around 25,000 square feet, nearly five times bigger than their original home, and that offered up a world of possibilities.
Five years later, there’s arguably more excitement about the move back to Kelowna’s downtown core in a space that’s even smaller than what they left behind in 2019.
“We’re pivoting the business,” Urban Distilleries president Mark Spurgeon told KelownaNow. “We’re kind of stoked.”
Spurgeon said they’re after the opportunity that the new location at 327 Bernard Ave. offers them, a chance to redefine their operations and be right in the middle of the action.
"We're just super excited to get down here and join the downtown community,” he said. “It's very vibrant and we bring something different to the table."
There will still be small-batch production in house, which will allow them to serve and sell their wide range of spirits to customers downtown, but larger-scale production will be done elsewhere.
The retail portion of the new store will still be a spot where people can get tastings, and there will be some private tasting rooms as well, but most of the action will be upstairs and outside.
The second floor of the new space will be home to Shakers Cocktail Lounge & Restaurant, which Spurgeon says is “kind of like a speakeasy.”
It will open later in the day for evening service and offer a tapas-style menu with plenty of exciting cocktail options.
When the weather is warmer, a seasonal patio on Bernard Avenue will also be a place to score some cocktails, but it will have a separate menu with different bites that pair nicely with those drinks.
There will be plenty of changes with Urban Distilleries’ move back over the bridge, but one thing will remain the same as it has since the business opened in 2011.
They will continue to sell popular, locally-produced spirits like their Paul’s Tomb Gin, North Calls Dill Pickle Vodka, Spirit Bear Vodka and Gin, various whiskies and more.
The last day of operations for the West Kelowna location will be June 23 and the current hope is to open up shop downtown in early July.
To learn more about Urban Distilleries and their products, click this link.
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