Our gin-soaked dreams have come true with the Prohibition Liquor Co opening a CBD distillery door, bringing our dreams closer to us than ever before!
Adam Carpenter and Wes Heddles, owners of the now internationally acclaimed gin, opened the distillery door on Gilbert St on the weekend, which is a noticeable upgrade from the business’ origin – Mr Carpenter’s house at Ovingham.
The door will feature a lavish gin tasting area, comfortable café and a still, and will co-share the space with Mr Carpenter’s graphic design company, Toolbox.
Mr Carpenter said the CBD was the perfect place to begin the next chapter of Prohibition Liquor Co, after much success during a recent pop-up style establishment in one of Adelaide’s most prominent retail hubs.
“We did a pop-up at the Adelaide Central Markets as the Producer In Residence and we noticed both the demand and the business case for being able to sell direct to the customer,” he said.
“We just needed a physical, customer base in a vibrant location, so we began looking for one. We looked all around, but in the end, the City of Adelaide were really encouraging and supportive of setting the business up in the CBD and made it clear they were really keen to encourage what we wanted to create.”
Prohibition Liquor Co was in residence at the Adelaide Central Market as the 21st Producer In Residence during May and June this year. The stall provides an opportunity for start-ups to test their product at a low cost with high benefit.
“I think Adelaide is a great place to run a business from,” Mr Carpenter said. “I think it’s great that we are getting to contribute to the food and wine culture that is happening around the city. But to be able to produce a product from the city as well I think is really cool – its bringing industry back into the city which is quite unusual these days.”
It is hoped the distillery door will also enable the duo to further expand their exports within the international market, taking their product to even more locations across the globe.
“When we launched we had a plan that we would be national in the first two years and we belted that in the first four months, taking the brand throughout Australia,” Mr Carpenter said.
“Now we’re exporting internationally, and part of the plan for opening our premises now was to be able to expand our ability to export. From here, once the doors are open, who knows where it will take us.”
Lord Mayor of Adelaide Martin Haese said supporting businesses such as Prohibition Liquor Co was at the forefront of his council’s agenda and welcomed the business with open arms.
He hoped the latest news would encourage even more investors looking to set up shop to choose Adelaide.
“We’re thrilled to be supporting innovative small businesses to take their next steps in our vibrant city, not just through the Producer In Residence program but also a myriad of other ways,” Martin said.
“Adelaide already has a wide network of businesses – from cafes, restaurants and retail outlets to entertainment and activities – that are thriving within our city.
“But there is always room to grow and we want to attract more businesses to the CBD; showing them that the City of Adelaide is here to support them, watching them flourish and adding to our vibrant city life.
“Prohibition Liquor Co has done just that – and we hope other businesses will follow its lead.”
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