Buffalo Trace Distillery recently announced the coming of a new local tourism and dining destination at the distillery near downtown Frankfort, Kentucky.
An existing building that currently operates as a gas station will be converted to support the new venue. The new destination is expected to open in 2023.
Sara Saunders, vice president of Buffalo Trace, said in a prepared statement that the distillery is always looking for ways to engage and inspire visitors and residents of the local community.
“As we look to the future, we’re committed to honoring the traditions of our 234-year history while also embracing change as we aim to invite even more whiskey lovers into our family,” she added. “This exciting project does just that, and we are thrilled to be adding another quality dining and tourism destination for both Franklin County residents as well as the 400,000-plus guests from around the world who visit our distillery each year.”
Saunders noted that the new destination will inject significant revenue into the local community, which could pave the way for the creation of new local jobs and serving as a strong tie-in to the downtown Frankfort redevelopment master plan.
“Our commonwealth’s world-famous bourbon industry is a vital component of our thriving agriculture ecosystem,” said Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles. “We are thrilled to see the historic Buffalo Trace Distillery continue to expand through this exciting project that will showcase Kentucky Proud food and beverages to an even wider audience in the years to come.”
While Buffalo Trace finalizes the details, the destination will be under construction at the Fair Oaks Lane entrance to the distillery on the site of the existing BP gas station and convenience store, a property Buffalo Trace Distillery currently owns.
Operations at the gas station will end in August with plans to break ground on the new venue to follow shortly thereafter.
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“As a longtime Franklin County resident and business owner, I am thrilled to see our neighbor, Buffalo Trace Distillery, continuing to pour resources and new opportunities back into our growing community,” said Marc Stone, president of Stonebridge Hospitality, the area’s largest hotelier. “This new experience, available to visitors from across the globe who come right here to Franklin County, will encourage guests to spend more time here, a benefit to every local business.”
Company officials anticipate that groundbreaking for the new tourism and dining destination will take place in the fall of 2022, with a grand opening target of summer next year.
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