Royal Foundry Crafts Spirits Black Business SPOTLIGHT

By Chris Juhn Staff Contributor

When Royal Foundry Craft Spirits distillery opened in 2018, it was advertised as “the Minneapolis craft cocktail scene with a British flavor,” producing spirits—gin, single malt whiskey, and rum—made in the traditional way using grains, botanicals, and classic recipes. Fast forward to 2023, and Royal Foundry Craft Spirits was about to close its doors, one of many businesses that succumbed during the pandemic.

Seizing the opportunity to open a new business that would serve North Minneapolis, Kamillah El-Amin approached the owners of Foundry, and is in contracts to acquire the business, which includes 15,000 square-feet that encompasses the distillery and event space.

“We’ve lost so much on the Northside,” said Kamillah, referring to the recent Aldi’s and Wal-