Grand Mound's
EAGLE ONE is Almost Here by Kathryn Milhorn | Artist rendering courtesy of Chehalis Tribal Enterprises
W
e all love one-stop shopping. The ability to get everything on your list without running all over town is a delight, especially during the soggy winter months. Coming in May 2020, there will be a new one-stop destination nearby that’s even better because it incorporates a brewery, distillery, family-friendly restaurant and so much more.
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ocated within the Thurston Bountiful Byway, the Talking Cedar development is a labor of love. It will be located at 19770 Sargent Road SW on the Chehalis Tribal Indian reservation in Grand Mound directly off Exit 88. Staffing the project falls to members of Heritage Distilling, the Ramblin Restaurant Group and Chehalis Tribal Enterprises. While open hiring is set to begin approximately 30 days before their Grand Opening, behindthe-scenes work is well underway.
distillery itself, including the head brewer and head distiller, will be Chehalis tribal members.” They expect to hire 10 to 12 for each as helpers, bottlers and other manufacturing assistants.
“We look at it like there’s two parts of the project,” says Chris Richardson, Chehalis Tribal Enterprises’ Managing Director. “There are the production— the brewery and distillery—and retail.” The project is on schedule thanks to their “deliberate pacing” and set to open the week after Mother’s Day.
Heritage Distilling Company, based in Gig Harbor, makes vodka, gin and whiskey and is the most awarded craft distillery in North America six years in a row from the American Distilling Institute. This new partnership agreement makes the Eagle One project their largest overall distribution hub.
Both beer and spirits can be sampled— and purchased to take home for later— at the on-site restaurant or through one of their frequent property tours. These hands’ on events allow visitors “to see, touch, taste, feel and experience” while exploring behind the scenes, says Richardson.
“Everything the public sees, the restaurant, taproom and distillery store, should employ approximately 80 people under a general manager,” he explains. “Staff at the brewery and
To welcome their artisanal collaborators, Richardson and his team have brought in “really beautiful distilling equipment from Italy and specialized brewery equipment from
Want to taste it all without worry? Consider turning your trip into a staycation thanks to the new Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott that opened its doors in 2018. Owned by the tribe, the
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“Everything the public sees, the restaurant, taproom and distillery store, should employ approximately 80 people under a general manager.” -Chris Richardson
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
metalworkers in Vancouver, British Columbia.” On the beer side, “the tribe is breaking new ground” with their hand-crafted Talking Cedar label. “Ramblin Jack’s Restaurant Group is beyond excited to be a part of the Talking Cedar Project on the Chehalis Reservation,” says Managing Partner Adam Adrian. “This will undoubtedly be a spectacular addition to the area and an exciting tourist destination!”
thurstonchamber.com
