Carefree Truth
Issue #696, November 2, 2018
Town clerk Kandace Contreras explained that the Elysian Desert Distillery's application for a liquor license was not part of the consent agenda because it will be a full distillery and some build-out will be required, but the item on the current agenda was just for the liquor license. Vice Mayor John Crane asked if it would involve high pressure equipment that could explode, or if it would be producing smells. Mrs. Contreras replied that the build-out plans must be submitted to the Building Department for approval. If Carefree's building inspector approves it, the Vice Mayor could rest assured that it will meet all the criteria.
She added that the applicant would be bringing forth another application for a tasting room in another suite of the 100 Easy Street building, which would open before the distillery. Their signature product will be called Chakra Vodka, focused on the Chakra areas and the balance of the body.
Owners Renea McQuiggan and her daughter Abigail Merritt said they would not be distilling at this point but will be doing so eventually. Mrs. McQuiggan explained that the 7 flavored Vodkas represent the different Chakra areas of the body and the premium plain Vodka, called Ascension, represents the total alignment of the body. Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked if there would be any cleaning issues after the processing. Mrs. McQuiggan responded that they would be blending the Vodka, bottling it and labeling it on site. After each flavor is blended, the vats would be cleaned.
Issue #696, November 2, 2018
Town clerk Kandace Contreras explained that the Elysian Desert Distillery's application for a liquor license was not part of the consent agenda because it will be a full distillery and some build-out will be required, but the item on the current agenda was just for the liquor license. Vice Mayor John Crane asked if it would involve high pressure equipment that could explode, or if it would be producing smells. Mrs. Contreras replied that the build-out plans must be submitted to the Building Department for approval. If Carefree's building inspector approves it, the Vice Mayor could rest assured that it will meet all the criteria.
She added that the applicant would be bringing forth another application for a tasting room in another suite of the 100 Easy Street building, which would open before the distillery. Their signature product will be called Chakra Vodka, focused on the Chakra areas and the balance of the body.
Owners Renea McQuiggan and her daughter Abigail Merritt said they would not be distilling at this point but will be doing so eventually. Mrs. McQuiggan explained that the 7 flavored Vodkas represent the different Chakra areas of the body and the premium plain Vodka, called Ascension, represents the total alignment of the body. Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked if there would be any cleaning issues after the processing. Mrs. McQuiggan responded that they would be blending the Vodka, bottling it and labeling it on site. After each flavor is blended, the vats would be cleaned.
Renea McQuiggan (at the microphone) and Abigail Merritt
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
Mayor Les Peterson asked how much corn would be delivered to the distillery. Mrs. McQuiggan said not much due to the small size of the location. Their still is not capable of producing large batches. They will be starting with a small batch of Bourbon, using corn from Kansas. Councilman Gene Orrico said he had taken a tour. They have the bar top that JFK used to drink at when he was in Washington, D.C.
Mayor Peterson noted that other municipalities have distilling and brewing facilities, and reminded the Council that the application that night was just for the liquor license to sell their product. Mrs. McQuiggan said they would potentially be blending cocktails. No liquor product other their own would be sold there at this time, but some might be in the future.
Mr. Orrico felt that it is a great addition and something different. He said the signs cost $30,000 and people come here looking for things that are different. We are not Cave Creek; we are Carefree. We need to add different types of unique niches to give people reasons to come. We have a little bit better restaurants, the Pumpkin Festival, and a distillery. We need niche businesses.
Mrs. McQuiggan said they are considering using some of the local restaurants like Venues and Corrado's to supply "bar bites", which could encourage people to go to those restaurants, creating some traffic for them. Elysian, located at 100 Easy Street, Ste. C, is aiming for a December opening date.
The Council unanimously voted to approve the liquor license application.
https://vimeo.com/294068080
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
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Photo by Herbert Hitchon
Mayor Les Peterson asked how much corn would be delivered to the distillery. Mrs. McQuiggan said not much due to the small size of the location. Their still is not capable of producing large batches. They will be starting with a small batch of Bourbon, using corn from Kansas. Councilman Gene Orrico said he had taken a tour. They have the bar top that JFK used to drink at when he was in Washington, D.C.
Mayor Peterson noted that other municipalities have distilling and brewing facilities, and reminded the Council that the application that night was just for the liquor license to sell their product. Mrs. McQuiggan said they would potentially be blending cocktails. No liquor product other their own would be sold there at this time, but some might be in the future.
Mr. Orrico felt that it is a great addition and something different. He said the signs cost $30,000 and people come here looking for things that are different. We are not Cave Creek; we are Carefree. We need to add different types of unique niches to give people reasons to come. We have a little bit better restaurants, the Pumpkin Festival, and a distillery. We need niche businesses.
Mrs. McQuiggan said they are considering using some of the local restaurants like Venues and Corrado's to supply "bar bites", which could encourage people to go to those restaurants, creating some traffic for them. Elysian, located at 100 Easy Street, Ste. C, is aiming for a December opening date.
The Council unanimously voted to approve the liquor license application.
https://vimeo.com/294068080
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.