Brothers Joe and Jeremy DeGroot are banking on their decision to open a second location for their Lawrenceville-based distillery business.
They opened Lawrenceville Distilling Co. in 2018, producing small batch vodka, bourbon, absinthe, gin and craft cocktails, with a tasting room and event space. The second location in a former Verona bank building will follow the same concept.
Lawrenceville Distillery is the maker of Ginzer American Gin, Parking Chair Vodka and Jaggerbush Gin, with each batch hand-distilled and bottled.
The prominent pillars and towering appearance serve as a visual anchor at 742 Allegheny River Blvd. The two-story building was built in 1920 and was previously a PNC bank and most recently the Verona Variety Store.
The brothers searched potential venue locations around the Pittsburgh region but said the striking architecture of the former bank building was perfect for their second location.
“We actually want to expand to three locations. This Verona location will be the home of our production facility,” Joe DeGroot said. “It’s got tremendous history, and the architecture and a main street location just checked a lot of boxes for us. These bricks were custom-made in Pittsburgh, and the clock reminds me of the movies, the old clock towers.”
Renovations have been underway for more than a year.
The Verona location is expected to open by the end of this year and will serve as the on-site location for the production facility currently at the Lawrenceville business.
“We love the neighborhood. Verona is a great town, and we really liked the idea of being here,” Joe DeGroot said.
Jeremy DeGroot of McCandless said renovations are extensive with a nod to the historical nature of the building.
“We’re trying to stay with the history of the building. We’re keeping the original bank vault. We’re looking to keep a bank-type look,” he said.
The challenges of working with a 122-year-old building haven’t gone unnoticed.
“It’s a really cool building, but the most difficult thing has been building out an old building,” Joe DeGroot said.
The once-beautiful ceiling is damaged beyond repair and is cost-prohibitive to restore. A new roof was installed. The project contractor is Sharpsburg-based Romero Remodeling Co.
The brothers joked they have yet to find any wayward bank money during the renovations.
A membership program will allow patrons to purchase access to one of the 500 original safety deposit boxes. The cost and details of having a personal storage deposit box for a patron’s liquor are still in the planning stages.
Seating for about 30 patrons will be available inside the tasting room. The parking lot will have spaces for about 10 vehicles.
The Verona location will have food options, including food trucks.
“But we’re not putting in a kitchen. We’re not going to be a restaurant. We will maintain the idea that it’s simply a tasting room for our spirits,” said Joe DeGroot, who lives in Export.
A well-planned cocktail menu featuring local spirits from Lawrenceville Distilling and other area distilleries is in the works for the Verona location.
The brothers said the welcome from Verona officials and locals has been warm.
“Everybody — business owners and nonbusiness owners — has been very welcoming,” Joe DeGroot said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com