One of Northwest Indiana’s newest and most popular destinations is Journeyman Distillery. Embedded in an array of factories with histories that stretch back to the 1800s, the distillery produces an array of spirits, as well as unique brews at the Sea of Monsters brewery, offers creative dining in the restaurant, and more.
Turning an aging factory complex in desperate need of rehabilitation into a thriving, multi-faceted business took careful work from a number of expert construction contractors. Among them was Korellis, who took charge of restoring the roofing and other select elements of the historic buildings.
“It was a unique challenge, we had to preserve the aesthetic but made sure we were safe about it,” said Julianne “Juli” Tattersall, Vice President of Operations at Korellis. “We had to make sure all the design choices were approached from a safety mindset before beginning the roofing. That’s the top priority, we don’t take safety lightly.”
One of the most visually striking parts of the factory complex was the old ANCO Wiper Blades plant, the glass façade of which drew attention from Campbell Street even as it aged. Korellis, along with the other contractors, managed to preserve that famous look while injecting some of Journeyman’s own personality into the design.
“I’m overwhelmed by our team. They all took it upon themselves to not only execute the work but to go above and beyond,” Tattersall said. “The level of communication they had with not only the general contractor running the site, but all of the sub-contractors as well, was outstanding.”
Tattersall’s favorite part of Journeyman Distillery’s design is the terrace, which features pavers installed by Korellis roofers.
“The best part about that is that every time a Korellis employee walks out onto the terrace, they’re standing on the installation completed by our crews,” she said. “Being an Indiana based company with most of our employees being from the Region, having a popular destination like that where they know their company was involved in building it has a huge impact. That’s something that everyone will talk about for years to come.”
The distillery is quickly becoming a part of the culture around Valparaiso and the Region at large, and Tattersall noted how big it is for Korellis to have that work in its portfolio – both for the company, and for the employees.
It is a project years in the making, with Korellis spending over a year working on multiple buildings across the complex. The end result is a destination that looks striking from any angle – and one that is proving to be a huge draw for the Valparaiso community.
“In construction, when a project is completed it gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that you were a part of it,” she said. “Journeyman Distillery is especially impactful to the community, so it has an even bigger feeling of success!”
To learn more about Korellis, visit korellis.com