Von Payne Spirits has purchased the former Whiteside’s Bakery Co building in Louisville for conversion into a distillery and tasting facility.
The 60,000-square-foot Mission-style property was designed by architect Arthur Loomis and opened in 1908 as Bond Bread. Von Payne plans to restore the building and rebrand it as ‘The Von Payne Castle’, a production site and visitor centre that will appear on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Von Payne did not disclose financial details of the transaction.
The long-abandoned site is notable for its East Tower, which is adorned with four gargoyles. According to Von Payne, the facility will showcase its namesake blackcurrant-infused bourbon, alongside events designed to highlight the brand’s gothic-inspired identity. Von Payne founder Steven Allen added that the project aims to differentiate the company from traditional Kentucky producers by combining spirits production with a destination experience.
Earlier this month, Heaven Hill Brands officially opened its recently-constructed distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, marking the company’s return to production in the locality after nearly three decades.
