Big businesses seem to get all of the attention, but small businesses are the backbone of our country. The amount of small businesses in the U.S. has been growing rapidly and at this point, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the 23 million small businesses in America account for 54 percent of all U.S. sales.
Contributing to those impressive numbers are some of the small businesses we love the most: distilleries, breweries, and wineries. Because today is National Mom and Pop Business Owner’s Day, we thought it was only fitting to pay tribute to these small alcohol entrepreneurs with big dreams who have been making the news.
Sons of Liberty Spirits Co., South Kingstown, Rhode Island
New England is primarily known for its breweries, but Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. is trying to help lead the charge and bring more distilleries to the area. Owner Mike Reppucci told BostInno that “Massachusetts and New England natives dating back to the original Sons of Liberty have always prided themselves on forward innovation. The advanced class of whiskey that is now being distilled locally is a direct reflection of those regional social characteristics.”
The Willows Family Ales, Tulsa, Oklahoma
We love stories like this: Heath Glover was laid off from his job as a pharmaceutical rep, so he started helping out Prairie Artisan Ales brewmaster Chase Healey. Healey mentored Glover and now Glover is launching his own sour beer called The Willows Family Ales. The new brand is being brewed at Prairie Artisan Ales right now, but Glover hopes to get his own spot downtown one day.
El Corazon, Walla Walla Valley, Washington
In 2006, Spencer Sievers bought 1,200 pounds of grapes and fermented them in his apartment in Northwest Portland. The same year, he met Raul Morphin and the two decided to make El Corazon Winery happen. The small winery is full of personality and that’s what owning a small business is all about.
There are so many amazing small businesses across the country. Is there a small distillery, brewery or winery near you that you love and you think we should know about it? Tell us about them.