Dirt work has begun for a licensed distillery in downtown Guthrie and the company hopes to release their first product by March 1.
Dirt work started Tuesday afternoon on the new distillery located at 124 E. Oklahoma Ave. Photo By Chris Evans
Prairie Wolf Spirits LLC purchased the property at 124 E. Oklahoma Ave and demolished a previous filling station building, but will rebuild with the same mind-set of the Art Deco style building.
The company will release their first product, Prairie Wolf Vodka, before eventually adding whiskey and gin.
Along with the brewing, Prairie Wolf Spirits will look to attract tours and tasting events if state law is reversed by legislators. Currently tasting events is not allowed in Oklahoma for distilleries.
In February, the Guthrie City Council amended a zoning ordinance by creating a Special Use provision for “Distillery” in the Central Business District and approved the application, by David Merritt, owner of Prairie Wolf Spirits, LLC.
According to their website, “the whole Merritt family is involved at Prairie Wolf Spirits. They are all excited to build on their knowledge of distilling and to continually produce hand crafted, unique spirits for everyone to enjoy, responsibly of course.”
According to The Oklahoman, the first and only other distillery to operate in the state was Old Russia, which closed several years ago. ABLE Commission records show Old Russia surrendered its license in May 2009.
I think it is wonderful that the City Council finally let a business in town, but Guthrie will never be a tourist town because of the Guthrie Police Department. Not unless they change their way of doing things.
You should go pray for yourself!!! Blame the police for the city problems!! Sounds like Dewart or Khan!!!
I think The Guthrie Police are awesome.. We have had nothing but praise for the way they have treated us and our business..