Distillery joins local synergy of outdoor adventure and libations
Dead Man Walking Spirits, a new distillery that will focus on spirits made from locally sourced ingredients, is opening in the Fat Jimmy’s Outfitters building on 109 Railroad Street in Bedford in 2023. The micro-distillery is joining Fat Jimmy’s Outfitters, go-to destination for cycling and fitness sales and service, along with Bedford’s first-ever brewery, Olde Bedford Brewing Company. It’s a synergy of outdoor adventure and libations that promise to serve up community, great discussions, and most of all, fun.
Lifelong Bedford resident Gregg Feaster is the founder of Dead Man Walking Spirits. He says that the area is a mecca for outdoor adventures like trail riding, hiking and camping. And outdoor adventure, he says, is even better with a great drink. “They go hand in hand. When you are hiking or biking or skiing, a drink is a reward. You can head out to a view or vista and then hang out with your friends while having a drink.”
His new venture will make the synergy between outdoor fun and drinks even better. In 2023, Dead Man Walking Spirits will be setting up shop inside Fat Jimmy’s. Within the large building, visitors can learn more about hops and brewing from Dave Heller and Joe Black at Olde Bedford Brewing, pick up a cocktail made from old fashioned, traditional recipes, and then walk over to check out a new bike for trail riding.
Feaster says that he had help launching his dream. He worked with Jen Marsh, who is Vice President of the Bedford County Development Association, as well as a Startup Business Coach for Startup Alleghenies, a program that helps entrepreneurs navigate starting their business in the Southern Alleghenies. “Jen Marsh was an amazing person to work with and a great contact for anyone who is interested in becoming an entrepreneur,” Feaster said. “She was always extremely responsive to my questions and helpful with business planning.”
He said that the free business coaching offered through Startup Alleghenies gave Dead Man Walking Spirits the boost that it needed. “Startup Alleghenies was instrumental in helping the new venture financially and provided opportunities to meet various contacts to assist in many aspects of this startup,” he said.
“It’s been such a pleasure to help Gregg launch Dead Man Walking Spirits,” Marsh said. “The collaboration of all three companies in one space is exciting for our community.”
Jim Fungaroli, owner of Fat Jimmy’s says that bringing Dead Man Walking Spirits into the plaza is a big plus for visitors. “Coming here isn’t about closing a sale — it’s about being active. We are selling a lifestyle. People can come here and spend hours learning more about the outdoors, about brewing and distilling.”
“It’s the ultimate customer experience,” Dave Heller of Olde Bedford Brewing Company added. “Take your beer and go shop — you can look at bikes or head next door to browse at Wholesome Living. People come from Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and tell us that they’ve never seen anything like this — it’s fantastic. Now, we get to provide this experience and add in someone else who has a passion for his craft. Walking into the building for the first time, you’ll be overwhelmed with the great fun in front of you.”
Dead Man Walking Spirits plans to capitalize on its name, featuring skulls on their shot glasses and a nod to zombies, skeletons and holidays like the Day of the Dead. “We are all going to pass away someday and are just dead men/women walking. It’s a reminder to have fun and make the most out of every day we have.”
In addition to Jen Marsh and the Startup Alleghenies team, the Saint Francis University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) was key in business planning and financial projections. “Jeff Boldizar helped me to determine growth and create attainable goals,” Feaster said.
Among the goals that he’s set are plans for live music, food and fundraising events for local businesses. “The location is so prime and there is a lot of opportunity for both indoor and outdoor events. We are really looking forward to seeing what’s next.”
Dave Heller agrees. “Here, there’s no fence around what we want to do.”
Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.
