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Second Sight Spirits expanding into new space; local craft distillery creates a hub for craft spirit tourism


Second Sight Spirits, a Ludlow-based craft distillery known for its small-batch rums and Kentucky Bourbon, has announced expansion into a new space adjacent to the existing space at 301 Elm Street.

Second Sight Spirits co-owners Rick Couch, left and Carus Waggoner (provided images)

The new facility is expected to be open by April.

“We’re thrilled to be able to use our Duke Energy and Catalytic Fund grants to expand the distillery to serve locals and visitors,” said co-owner Carus Waggoner.  “Expanding into a new space will allow us to hold more visitors; both locally and those on the B-line and Kentucky Craft Trail, as well as serve cocktails in a lounge setting and feature a stage area for events.”

In addition to distilling a range of craft rums and the Oak Eye Kentucky Bourbon, guests can join co-owners Waggoner and Rick Couch in the distillery to share in the distilling of their own signature bottles of spirits. Creating a guest-centered experience is key to Second Sight Spirits’ mission and will only grow in the new space. 

“While my co-founder, Rick and I built the still and the distillery ourselves, we took a different route in designing the expanded space by bringing in Jason Curtis of Curtis Creative,” Waggoner said. “Jason’s strength is in not only creating unique spaces, but experiences; as he’s designed national amusement parks, rock n roll and theater touring shows and parades – locally he’s worked with King’s Island Halloween Haunt as well.”

Design rendering from Jason Curtis of Curtis Creative

Curtis’ background as a theater and amusement park designer provided the vision that Waggoner and Couch wanted to bring to life. After working in the entertainment industry in Las Vegas, a typical restaurant design wasn’t what the founders had in mind.

“Visiting Second Sight should be an engaging and unique experience – we’re going to have several interactive engagements,” said Waggoner. “Second Sight’s vision is quite literally, “the future” and the future is in Kentucky Bourbon – so bringing in some of those fortune telling and bourbon based elements is key to engaging our patrons in a new way.”

The new space will hold up to 94 guests and will allow for private events and gatherings in addition to the distillery experiences. 

The distillery will be open in the existing space during renovations and will look forward to welcoming patrons to a sneak peek of the renovated space during Ludlow’s Cabin Fever Festival on February 23.

Second Sight Spirits new location will be at 301b and 301a Elm Street in Ludlow.

Hours are Thursdays 12-5 p.m. Fridays 12-8 p.m., and Saturday 12-8 p.m.

For updates on renovations, click here. www.secondsightspirits.com

Second Sights Spirits


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One Comment

  1. ruth bamberger says:

    Carus Waggoner and Rick Couch are such creative entrepreneurs! Expansion of Second Sight Spirits will bring a real boost to the Elm Street district in Ludlow.

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