Great Jones Distilling Co. closes Manhattan whiskey distillery

Great Jones Distilling Co., Manhattan’s only whiskey distillery since the end of Prohibition, has unexpectedly closed its visitor center. The 28,000-square-foot facility at 686 Broadway featured a restaurant, retail store, speakeasy, and tasting rooms.

Owned by Jersey City-based Proximo Spirits, the closure follows a $21 million investment and a five-year operation. A spokesperson for Proximo stated the decision resulted from a review of “current beverage industry trends, market conditions, and overall company business strategy.” While the physical visitor center is closed, the company intends to continue selling whiskey through online and retail channels.

The closure coincides with broader challenges in the alcohol industry. Recent data from a Gallup poll indicates that American alcohol consumption has reached its lowest levels since 1939. Additionally, the Republic National Distributing Company, the second-largest wine and spirits distributor, recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.