Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine is preparing to launch a facility at The Island in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., not far from its headquarters in Gatlinburg, Tenn. The new location for the moonshiner will feature a distillery, tasting bar and retail store, just like its original hub, also known as The Holler, in Gatlinburg. Set to open in late summer, the Pigeon Forge location will be called the Ole Smoky Barn.
The new location will have approximately 6,000 square feet of public space, which is half the size of The Holler, and the adjacency of its on-site still and tasting area will create a more intimate experience, the company says. Built on an open corner with abundant glass frontage, the Barn will benefit from 180 degrees of natural light and a slightly contemporary feel, while echoing the design of the original Holler through the use of reclaimed local barnwood and similar finishes, fixtures, artwork and other elements, it adds. Moonshine made at the Barn will be jarred, labeled and sold on-site; however, its store also will offer a range of flavored products made in Gatlinburg. In addition, the Pigeon Forge venue will have a dedicated outdoor stage featuring daily live bluegrass music.
“Opening an Ole Smoky location in Pigeon Forge will help us better serve the many visitors to our hometown,” said Joe Baker, founder of Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine, in a statement. “We’re excited to be a part of The Island. It's a great destination that offers a memorable experience for families visiting the area. We're confident that this location will become a must-see for folks traveling to east Tennessee."
Pigeon Forge is located at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which welcomes more than 10 million visitors annually. Opened in June 2013, The Island in Pigeon Forge is a new retail, dining and entertainment destination that features numerious attractions including The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a 200-foot-tall observation wheel; the dancing Island Show Fountains; rides; games; and live music. With a current footprint of 300,000 square feet, The Island will add additional space and tenants, including Ole Smoky Moonshine, with its second-phase debut during the next few months.
In early 2013, Ole Smoky quadrupled its bottling capacity to keep up with rising demand with the addition of a 20,000-square-foot facility near its original distillery. Its products now are available in 49 states and Canada.
