Copper and Oak Craft Spirits, LLC will begin renovation on 2,000 square feet of space in The Breeden Company’s Montgomery Square Shoppes located at 725 High Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth. The owners of Copper and Oak, Skyler Pittman, Luke Claverie, and Tim Zimmerman, plan to open a micro distillery and tasting room this winter, providing hand-crafted spirits made from scratch. Tours and educational classes will be available to the public.
“We are very excited to start the build-out and begin the time-honored family tradition of distilling spirits,” said Skyler Pittman, owner and co-founder. “Although the craft market is gaining popularity, the micro distillery concept is still relatively new in the Hampton Roads area and Portsmouth is an untapped market.”
“The Montgomery Square Shoppes is an ideal location for Copper and Oak’s beautifully appointed spirt tasting room. The selection of this location reflects the growing strength of our local economy and how the city continues to attract forward thinking entrepreneurs.” commented Mallory Butler, Director of Portsmouth Economic Development. “And with the change in the law, distilleries in Virginia can now sell their product directly to restaurants which will only serve to increase the variety for the consumers and sales for the producers.”
The new distillery will feature an expansive tasting room and production area. The distillers will launch with a craft gin and moonshine. Copper and Oak will also be producing bourbon that will be barrel-aged on site and will be available after it has time to properly age.
