It's been a long journey for Crystal Ridge Distillery, 455 Broadway St., which celebrated its third anniversary on Saturday.
The family-owned moonshine, whiskey, bourbon, vodka and cocktail distillery was open for just five days before the pandemic changed everything, but that didn't take away the spirit(s) of the Bradley family, who put all they had into opening the business.
The anniversary celebration saw a full house as guests enjoyed tastings, live music from John Jordan and a family-friendly atmosphere. The busy event drew people from around Arkansas and even other states, as Crystal Ridge has built a reputation among locals and tourists alike.
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The event also launched the first no-added sugar flavor of their line of canned cocktails, The Pack. Yet, the sounds of merriment were a far cry from the opening week three years prior.
"At the time it looked like there was zero hope that we were going to survive," said Danny Bradley. "Because we had bills coming in, and we had no way to pay our bills because there was no way to generate revenue being shut down with the pandemic."
That's when the family shifted gears and started producing another alcohol-based product that was greatly needed at the time -- hand sanitizer.
"It was one of the most trying times of my life," Bradley, owner, president and CEO, said. "And I've learned so much going through what we've gone through. In hindsight, I wouldn't trade any of it. Not one minute of it."
Since the pandemic has subsided, he said the business has had the chance to get involved in getting legislation passed to allow them to self-distribute and to "get (their) feet wet with the retail space and prove their product."
Their line of vodka sodas, The Pack, is now being distributed by Arkansas Beverage Sales while the company is also in negotiations to have their moonshine distributed statewide, as well.
"To get to this point where you kind of feel like now that you've made it a little bit, where you can just take a breath," he said.
Both Danny and his wife, Mary, were born and raised in the Hot Springs area, having both attended Lake Hamilton School District for some time. Their oldest son, Asher, acts as the general manager and CMO for the business.
The couple's roots were a huge factor in the decision to open the distillery in Hot Springs as their jobs kept them on the road away from their home in the city.
"Our vision was to come back here and have something to create jobs for Hot Springs, and a little industry as well, and to put Arkansas on the map," Mary Bradley, owner, vice president and CFO, said.
"And we're trying to do that with our moonshine, and I think we're doing a great job. We've really grown over the last three years. It's just been our vision all along, to help Hot Springs grow."
Crystal Ridge Distillery has enjoyed three years at 455 Broadway St. now, and the principals hope to continue to grow their business as well as the city of Hot Springs. The company now employs 20 people. The Bradley family, at the helm of Crystal Ridge, held on even when their future wasn't so crystal clear.
The business is open Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon-6 p.m. The historic F.C. Stearns warehouse, where the distillery is located also features a saloon, gift shop and private event space.
Visit https://crystalridgedistillery.com/ for more information.
Owners Mary and Danny Bradley are shown in front of a wall of their flavored moonshine. - Photo by Lance Brownfield of The Sentinel-Record.