Plus, new housing approved.
 
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From our friends at WCNC

 
🥃 Whiskey dreams
A shot of whiskey is poured into a glass cup with ice.
Oaklore Distilling Co. was named No. 1 Distillery by The Charlotte Observer’s Charlotte’s Best in 2023. | Photo via Oaklore Distilling Co.
The team at Oaklore Distillery has promising days ahead. The award-winning Charlotte-based producer of bourbon and rye whiskey is expanding their facility — with finishing touches on renovations nearly complete.

Up to now, production has been squeezed into a 1,000-sqft building at 11136 Monroe Rd. in Matthews. Change is on the way.

A newly renovated 6,000-sqft building on 1.5 acres — adjacent to the distillery’s current home on the corner of Monroe Road and NC-51 — will give the team more space to keep pace with production. Amenities include a warehouse, processing, shipping and receiving, a kitchen, and office space.

The image of a compact building with words in the window reading, "Oaklore Distilling."

The building next to Oaklore on the corner of Monroe Road and NC-51 was built in 1952 and once housed a computer repair shop, a locksmith, and a barber shop.

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Photo via Oaklore Distilling Co.

“It’s a game changer because this helps us to be able to continue producing at the high quality we’re producing,” said Oaklore co-founder Matt Simpkins, who created the local distillery with Thomas Bogan and Travis Masters in 2017. None of the founders are from the Charlotte area, but all fell in love with the Tar Heel State.

“It’s important for us to highlight the beauty of North Carolina,” added Simpkins, who added North Carolina holds one of the best environments for whiskey aging in the United States. “We truly have the best of both worlds. It gets cold abnormally and then it’ll get warm again. And we’re able to utilize those temperature changes to get the variants and subtleties out of the wood that we want.”

Expansion comes as demand for the local distillery is only going up. Oaklore Four Grain Bourbon and North Carolina Straight Rye Whiskey are now available in more than 60 bars and restaurants, and more than 50 ABC stores across the state.

Two shelves lined with "Oaklore Distilling" whiskey bottles.

Oaklore Distilling Co. hopes to eventually add tours to share behind-the-scenes visits with guests, including how the product moves from barrel to bottle.

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Photo via Oaklore Distilling Co.

The next step in the renovation process will involve barrels being moved in for additional aging and eventual processing. Plans for expansion into new counties will move forward once the new production facility is complete, which is expected in the next month.

Simpkins told CLTtoday he looks forward to this next chapter of his distillery serving as a gateway to the community he loves. “We couldn’t be in a better place surrounded by better people.”
 
Asked
 
What’s your favorite flavor profile of whiskey?
A. Sweet
B. Spicy
C. Fruity
D. Smoky
 
Events
 
Tuesday, April 23
  • RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles | Tuesday, April 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Belk Theatre, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | $32.50 | Take an electrifying journey through the eras with Sgt. Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour + other Beatles’ favorites.
  • “Uptown Sinatra” with the UNC Charlotte Jazz Ensemble | Tuesday, April 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | $0-$15 | Celebrate the timeless tunes of “Ol Blue Eyes” with special guest vocalist John Love.
  • Hozier - Unreal Unearth Tour 2024 | Tuesday, April 23 | 8 p.m. | PNC Music Pavilion, 707 Pavilion Blvd., Charlotte | $39.50-$99.50 | Rock to “Cherry Wine” and other soulful songs during the sold out show.
Wednesday, April 24
  • Haw River Wine Tasting | Wednesday, April 24 | 5-7 p.m. | Carolina Beer Temple, 195 N. Trade St., Matthews | Free | Let your glass be filled with an impressive wine selection at this casual spring tasting.
  • Zipline & Dine | Wednesday, April 24 | 6-8:30 p.m. | US National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte | $89 | Soar above the rapids of The Whitewater Center before savoring a chef-curated dinner.
  • “Toto: Dogz Of Oz Tour” | Wednesday, April 24 | 8 p.m. | Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte | $49.75-$99.75 | Prepare to “bless the rains down in Africa,” seeing Toto perform their greatest hits live in concert.
Thursday, April 25
  • Whiskey After Dark | Thursday, April 25 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Founders Dairy Barn at Dairy Barn Entrance, 288 Dairy Barn Ln., Fort Mill | $100 | Sample more than 100 whiskeys + savor paired bites made by award-winning chefs.
  • Elijah Craig “Killer Queen” Release Dinner | Thursday, April 25 | 6 p.m. | Oak Steakhouse, 4777 Sharon Rd., Charlotte | $150 | A multi-course dinner and bourbon tasting at Oak Steakhouse celebrating the Elijah Craig Private Barrel “Killer Queen” Bourbon.
  • Needtobreathe & Judah and The Lion | Thursday, April 25 | 7 p.m. | PNC Music Pavilion, 707 Pavilion Blvd., Charlotte | $24-$69 | Grab a “Brother” to enjoy this night of rock and folk music.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
 
Weather
  • The National Weather Service determined storms with 90 mph winds — equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane — caused widespread destruction in Rock Hill over the weekend. Damage included uprooted trees falling onto cars, houses, and power lines. The NWS confirmed no evidence of a tornado during Saturday’s storms. (WCNC)
Edu
  • Rock Hill Schools will remain in eLearning for today. The decision comes out of an abundance of caution following last weekend’s severe weather. Power outages remain + lingering debris is still being cleared from area roads.
Coming Soon
  • Come all, come hungry. Halal Street Food is opening a second brick-and-mortar location in Camp North End’s Keswick District Wednesday, April 24. Expect to order gyros, falafels, and kabobs. Husband and wife team Khuram and Damaris Bashir started Halal Food Cart in 2016 at Trade and Tryon streets in Uptown.
Development
  • Construction is expected to speed up at an active-adult community in Belmont. The development off Armstrong Ford Road will include 809 single-family homes restricted to residents ages 55+. Closings for the first homes are expected by this fall. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Eat
  • Bon Appétit. G.O.A.T. Pizza, founded by celebrity chef David Burke, opens this Saturday, April 27 at The Village at Oakhurst (9623 Bailey Rd. Ste. 100, Cornelius). Prepare to munch on pizza, smash burgers, and pasta, set against a decor of sports memorabilia. (The Charlotte Observer)
Trending
  • Attendance for Charlotte Checkers games averaged 6,900+ fans per game for the 2023-2024 regular season — a 27-year high. Gains for the minor-league hockey team boosted ticket sale revenue by 17%. The Checkers will play at Bojangles Coliseum for the First Round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, Thursday, April, 25. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Number
  • $79,000. That’s the amount of money raised by The HEARTest Yard and Showmars for the 8th annual HEARTest Yard + Showmars 5K. The organizations support children and families affected by congenital heart disease + helps them receive life-saving treatment at Levine Children’s Hospital.
Sports
  • Should the Carolina Panthers consider trading up into the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
    Stat
     
    TEGNA
     
    City
     
    🏠 A place to call home
    A colored map of Mecklenburg county featuring dots scattered across different districts.
    The City of Charlotte’s agenda states these approved housing projects would add 140 housing units and 19 home-ownership units to the city’s existing supply. | Map via The City of Charlotte
    Charlotte City Council approved $5 million in funding for new affordable housing developments across the Queen City.

    The first of two rental projects, Grounds for Change, will include 80 units along Park Road near Freedom Park. The second, Mallard at Sugar Creek, will consist of 60 units.

    Habitat for Humanity would also develop two homeownership projects. The first is Legacy Vista — 12 affordable homes along Toddville Road in West Charlotte. The second is Little’s Landing — seven affordable units on Polk + White Road in Mallard Creek.

    The money comes from City Council dipping into the Housing Trust Fund to create more options for renters and prospective home owners. It’s all voter-approved, city-funded housing on land owned by the city of Charlotte.

    Editor’s note: As of Dec. 2021, the City of Charlotte allocated $218 million from Housing Trust Fund to go toward affordable housing.
     
    The Buy
     
    The Maizie Clarke Collection. If you’re looking for ways to prepare for the Kentucky Derby, this brand has the sweetest derby-inspired products.
     
    Answered
     
    Last Friday, we asked “Which feature would you like to see most in SouthPark?” Here’s what you said:
    An artist's rendering showing people walking through a common space in SouthPark at night.

    Rendering via The City of Charlotte

    It turns out many of you prefer to have SouthPark be a more walkable neighborhood.

    55% voted for more walkability
    30% voted for expanded common areas for picnics + public hangouts
    10% voted for more fountains + public art displays
    5% voted for access to more transportation
     
    6AM City In-house
     
    The Wrap
     
    CLT_Jack VanderToll Today’s edition by:
    Jack
    From the editor
    I enjoyed my conversation with Oaklore Distiling Co.'s co-founder for my lead story today. I’m looking forward to heading there soon for a drink.
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