Charlotte-based Great Wagon Road Distilling will open its new suburban location soon
Great Wagon Road Distilling Co. is opening a new location in downtown Waxhaw, adding to the company’s flagship location in NoDa and bar in Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
“We’re excited to be part of the Waxhaw community,” owner Ollie Mulligan told CharlotteFive. “We’ve created an industrial, yet cozy feel — it’s going to be a great cocktail experience.”
The new 3,000 square foot location on Waxhaw’s North Main Street is expected to open the second week of September. The distillery takes the place of the former Bike Depot — which was owned by a friend of Mulligan’s.
“When I moved here in ‘94, he was one of the Irish guys I hung out with — and now I’ve bought this building from him,” Mulligan said, laughing about the full circle moment.
A family affair
For the Great Wagon Road Distilling team, it’s been a family affair putting personal touches on the space. For instance, Great Wagon Road distiller Michelle Piechowicz made all of the light fixtures. “They’re chandeliers made out of whiskey barrels that look like they’re exploding,” Mulligan said. “You’ll never have seen them anywhere else.”
Other touches include a dropped tin ceiling and extensive soundproofing to create a relaxed ambiance. Plans call for a 60-foot long bar — where you can get, as Mulligan says — “the best old fashioned you’ll ever have.”
Perhaps the most special feature of this new location is an Irish snug, or private room. “The snug is a nice intimate addition to the space,” Mulligan said. “In Ireland, a snug is where marriages are arranged, cattle are sold, and quiet deals are done.”
Spirits galore: gin, vodka, whiskey, and more
The Waxhaw location — branded as GWR WXW — will have similarities and differences compared to the NoDa location. Like NoDa customers, GWR WXW guests can also enjoy whiskey pulled straight from the barrel, yet there will not be a kitchen. There is, however, a heavy duty electric hookup outside of the building so that food trucks can plug in without noisy generators.
GWR WXW will produce some spirits that will only be available in Waxhaw. “We’re getting honey from a local beekeeper, and are working to make more local partnerships,” Mulligan said.
Also expect Great Wagon Road Distilling staples like Rúa American single malt whiskey, Quinn’s barrel aged whiskey, 704 gin and Salamander vodka. The distillery also has a tequila in the works now that they’ve secured a partner in Mexico.
GWR WXW will sell bottles to go, however the bar experience is the big draw. “We’ll make everything right in front of you from scratch,” Mulligan said in his relaxed, Irish accent. “And we have the best gin and tonic you’ve ever had.”
Great Wagon Road Distilling
Location: 610 Anderson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 122 W North Main St, Waxhaw, NC 28173
Instagram: @gwrnoda
