Local and state officials will gather in Bolivar County on Thursday for the groundbreaking of what’s set to become the state’s largest distillery.
Rosedale Distilling Company is redeveloping a set of historic buildings in Rosedale, located 19 miles outside of Cleveland, and turning them into a distillery that will produce premium and super-premium spirits for consumption in both Mississippi and through the national market.
Jack and Elizabeth Coleman, who moved back to the Mississippi Delta with the purpose of creating opportunity in the region, explained that Rosedale Distilling Company is based on the area’s rich and colorful history when it comes to fine whiskey-making.
“One product line will honor the legendary Perry Martin, a bootleg whiskey maker for more than 40 years who made such great, aged whiskey that it could be found in many parts of the country,” Jack said. “Mr. Martin buried his filled barrels to age in the sandbar of the Mississippi River to avoid discovery – barrels he bought from my granddad’s hardware store. His whiskey, a prized possession in Mississippi, was considered so good, customers would ask for it by name in bars in Chicago, Detroit, New York, and many other cities.”
With an initial commitment of $17 million and an additional $8 million expected to be invested throughout the distillery’s first eight years of operation, the 130,000-square-foot project will include of course the distillery, but also spaces for a retail store, tasting rooms, and museums dedicated to Mississippi icons such as Blues musician Robert Johnson and the late Sen. Blanche K. Bruce.
According to the Colemans, the economic and community impact of Rosedale Distilling Company includes 57 new jobs and an expected annual tourism number of at least 40,000 visitors by 2025.
The groundbreaking for Rosedale Distilling Company will take place at 2 p.m. at 405 Court Street. Those in attendance will include Central District Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons and Gov. Tate Reeves.
“Rosedale Distilling Company’s investment is a remarkable milestone for Bolivar County, creating jobs and showcasing our state’s unique riverside culture,” Reeves said. ‘This is a fantastic economic and tourism boost for the Delta and an invitation for others to discover what Mississippi has to offer.”
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