How does anyone start a craft distillery? A dream. That was the case for Union Grove, whose cofounders Todd Pascarella and Brian Mulder started talking about it nearly a decade ago. The two of them, already home brewing and making cider had an idea to make some garage whiskey. They realized very quickly it’s very complicated and, as Pascarella says, “Making spirits at home is actually illegal.” (Technical term: bootlegging, which also has had a long history in our hills). If they wanted to try it, they realized they had to build a business. The two, though, knew that distilling, at least, is essentially plumbing and cooking, plus some very expensive equipment.

As they got serious about the distillery, they knew it needed a space for the public. That landed them in a historic building at a key crossroads between Margaretville, Arkville and Roxbury, making the distillery an anchor business. Union Grove got loans for equipment from MARK and also Main Street Revitalization funds to help with the building and entrance. They built a patio where people could hang out and have a drink – all important for attracting visitors. “When people see a happening spot at a crossroads, it has a major impact,” Todd says.

Now Union Grove makes spirits with local materials like apples for the vodka, and local fir and lavender for botanicals in the gin. The Catskill Mountain Maple Spirit is made like a rum but sips like a bourbon. It’s distilled using maple syrup from fellow Arkville producers Tree Juice. And, the Vly Creek Vodka is getting lauded by Wine Enthusiast Magazine which named it one of the top 100 spirits for 2019. 

All of which is great for a new business, except come Spring 2020 – the coronavirus shutdown. Business was in danger. MARK and Transition Catskills came through with emergency small business grants for the distillery and other local businesses. That money will help cover bills to make sure that after the shutdown, the distillery is still here, still anchoring a corner and still serving and selling award-winning spirits.