Allentown Distillery Expands and Moves into Former A-Treat-Owned Building on City’s East Side – The Morning Call
Russell Fletcher II has finally found a bigger location for his growing Allentown distilling company. He doesn’t even have to move out of the neighborhood.
The Life Forever Inc., which manufactures Mishka Premium Vodka, will move into a building on East Livingston Street on the East Side previously owned by A-Treat Bottling Co. The expanded Mishka manufacturing capacity is expected to be completed by next spring.
“We finally found somewhere,” said Fletcher, who bought the former warehouse for $425,000. “And I think it’s great to be in the old A-Treat building.”
Fletcher said the company will use 6,000 square feet and will eventually build on the second phase. Expanding from its original location at 841 N. Gilmore St. Rented a 2,200 sq ft building in 2019 We produce Mishka Vodka for the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Illinois markets. This Life Forever is the only African-American owned distillery in Pennsylvania.
Fletcher said the new location will bring about 20 to 25 full-time jobs, along with some part-time jobs. The company employs him 3 full-time employees and his 12 part-time employees.
The project received a $1 million guaranteed loan from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for the construction of a larger facility.
“HUD is committed to supporting everything we do for small businesses and their communities,” said Marion McFadden, chief deputy secretary for HUD’s Community Planning and Development Authority, in a statement. increase. “This loan guarantee will support Allentown as the Commonwealth’s only African-American-owned distillery grows and creates jobs, especially for low- and middle-income earners.”
The additional space will allow Mishka to showcase a variety of products. Fletcher said he is considering starting a whiskey program.
“We are in a tight space,” he said. “You can’t start a whiskey program in such a small space.So we’ve been kind of restricted. It features one mainstream brand.”
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Fletcher, who has been looking for a larger facility for several years, said business is going well.
“It works,” he said. “And a big part of that success has come to Lehi his Valley in the last four years since we’ve been here. ”
The new location will allow Mishka to host more community-focused events, such as showcasing the manufacturing process, Fletcher said.
Mishka’s future location is 1932 E. Livingston St., adjacent to A-Treat’s. Former bottling factory Located at 2001 Union Blvd., now a self-storage facility.
Morning Call reporter Evan Jones ejones@mcall.com.
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-mishka-vodka-expanding-allentown-20220914-wth362ewd5fxlfniqsl6hkr7oi-story.html#ed=rss_www.mcall.com/arcio/rss/category/news/local/ Allentown Distillery Expands and Moves into Former A-Treat-Owned Building on City’s East Side – The Morning Call