A new tasting room and distillery is opening in downtown Traverse City in the Breakwater development along the Boardman River in the Warehouse District.

The 5,900 square-foot business - called The Tasting Room by Legacy Distillers, Inc. - is a collaboration between Derek and Carolyn Weeks (owners of Park St. Café and Legacy Financial Services Group, Inc.) and Christine and David Skibowski. Christine Skibowski is a managing partner of Park St. Café, while David Skibowski is a longtime local distiller. According to a release from the partners, the “concept evolved from their shared desire to craft and offer quality spirits in an inviting place that each of them, individually, has been searching for locally.”

The Tasting Room will feature a large patio on the Boardman River with retracting garage dooors to create an open-air experience with three outdoor fireplaces. Additional outdoor seating will be available on the Union Street side of the property. Inside will host a mix of bar and lounge seating, two fireplaces, and a private room for events, with a total capacity indoors and outdoors of 200 guests.

The menu will be based around a woodfired oven and include items like pizzas, steak skewers, and roasted brie. Legacy Distillers will specialize in “crafting quality spirits,” according to Carolyn Weeks, who says the business will “be a place you can meet friends for a visit with drinks and an appetizer or you can order a variety of dishes and make it a family-style meal.” Both tasting flights and craft cocktails will be offered on the premises.

According to the partners, The Tasting Room by Legacy Distillers, Inc. will open in early summer 2021.