While Journeyman Distillery is known for its refreshing drinks and quality meals, what really makes the experience complete are the people and communities it serves. Whether it be through design, its menu, or anything in between, Journeyman takes pride in telling the stories of those who made a significant impact over the years, creating countless easter eggs just waiting to be discovered.
“You can walk in and see the crooked nail in the beam that’s been there forever or see where somebody signed the pole from 1952 or 1899,” said Retail and Public Programs Manager David Regan. “Those are like little easter eggs that people like to find while exploring the building.”
The locations in Three Oaks, Michigan and Valparaiso, Indiana may only be separated by an hour-long drive, but each offers a world of differences between them because of these rich and intricate histories of their own. Let’s take a deeper dive into what really sets these two locations apart and truly makes each location one of a kind.
Three Oaks, Michigan
Nestled in a small but lively town with old-school charm, Journeyman’s Three Oaks location is a relaxing vacation from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The town itself is home to around 1,500 people and has become a popular destination spot for summer getaways. When bringing the Michigan distillery to life, Owner Bill Welter wanted to build on that atmosphere so guests knew they could always extend their vacation to the halls of Journeyman.
“It has the old charm on the street poles in the main strip of downtown with all the really great entrepreneurs, mom and pop shops, vendors, little eateries and things like that,” Regan said. “This area becomes a very seasonal and summer destination and is one of those properties that people are vacationing to. A lot of people have second homes in the area. In this region, it's really about exploration and leisure.”
In addition to incorporating Three Oaks’ serene charm into the layout, Journeyman also pays homage to historical entrepreneurs who have paved the way for many today, including featherbone founder Edward Kirk “EK” Warren. The distillery has been proudly deemed the Featherbone Factory in his honor.
The local community has additionally influenced much more than the facility's decor and branding — its menu also features many options made with ingredients sourced from local farmers and businesses for people to enjoy.
What’s a vacation without a recreational activity for some fun in the sun? To keep the party going after a refreshing meal and drinks, guests are invited to take a swing at the distillery’s 30,000 square foot 18-hole putting course. Golf has always been a favorite pastime for Welter, and he knew it was the perfect activity to complete the leisurely feel at Three Oaks.
“Bill Welter spent some time in college in Scotland, where he fell in love with whiskey,” Regan said. “He's an avid golfer — that's why it's called Welter’s Folly, because it's something that he really loves as part of his life.”
For those looking to gather for more than just a round on the green, Three Oaks offers a variety of rental spaces for most any event. Guests can choose from Warren Hall, which seats up to 500 people, The Grainery Room, or The Still Room, which both seat up to 100 people to make the event of your dreams a reality.
Additionally, Three Oaks has some fun events up its sleeve, such as the Spring Artisan Market taking place April 6-7 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. EST both days, which will feature over 80 different artisans and crafters throughout the distillery.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day off or a tasty snack as you work to up your golf game, consider stopping by the Three Oaks location for a hole-in-one experience unlike any other.
Valparaiso, Indiana
Since opening its doors to the Valpo community in the fall of 2023, the American Factory, Journeyman’s Northwest Indiana location, has had a mission to bring people of all walks of life together through a series of fun, communal events. The location – which was previously home to the ANCO Factory, a silk mill and a denim factory and insulation factory to name a few – was chosen with this in mind.
“We have a really lovely courtyard nestled just off of downtown Valparaiso where we’ve built a soundstage in front of the still house – that’s the big glass box as you see as you approach the property towards Campbell Street,” Regan said. “That property will definitely be very music and outdoor events focused, and it will offer a lot of diversity for folks as far as different genres of music go.”
Sitting on 140,000 square feet, Journeyman’s Valpo location has ample space to handle larger crowds. Its rental space and event rooms — which consist of the East Room, the West Room, and the Factory Floor — have potential to accommodate up to 1,000 people, making it an ideal spot for events where it’s known a larger party will be in tow.
While visiting for these events, guests are also welcome to try any one of the location’s specialized meals and cocktails. By taking a bite of one of the food options on the menu, guests can also expect to take a bite of Valparaiso history, too.
“The Valparaiso location throws a nod to some historical foods that were popular in the Midwest,” Regan said. “For example, we've got our BTB or turkey schnitzel sandwich, which is a throwback to the old Strongbow Inn that was famous for its bread tenderloin essentials.”
As the Valpo location is still fairly new, the distillery is still in Phase One of its overall plan to expand and fully integrate itself in the Northwest Indiana community. The distillery is working on creating a brewery, a pizzeria, and a karaoke bar at this location soon, made complete with animatronic characters who will also serve as backup singers for a fun time for all.
However, this location still has plenty to offer right now, including a wide array of events. During the winter months, guests can rock out during the Whiskey and Blues concert series every Sunday from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. CST. Then, from May to August, the Valpo location has plans to launch a summer concert series on Wednesday evenings, ensuring there’s something for everyone no matter the genre they prefer.
“When you arrive at the Valparaiso campus, you're going to have the choice of anything from cuisine to music to events that are happening on the property at any time of the year,” Regan said. “That provides an opportunity for people to explore Valparaiso from a tourist standpoint. We certainly want people to bring others to the community, and that's typically what we noticed has happened since we’ve arrived.”
Both Journeyman locations offer something unique to their specific locations, so Regan encourages everyone to stop by both when they have the chance — perhaps even on the same day!
For more information on how to start your Journeyman Distillery experience today, visit journeyman.com.