J. Carver Distillery In Waconia Announces Upcoming Closure

Another Minnesota craft distillery has decided to call it quits. It's been a rough few years for Minnesota's craft beer/distillery scene, with many once popular businesses closing for one reason or another. Last week, news broke that another Minnesota distillery was going to close its doors for good later this year.

Founded In 2013, Closing 13 Years Later

J. Carver Distillery in Waconia announced last week that it would be closing its doors for good this year. While there hasn't been an exact date set for the closure, a post to social media indicated it would happen before October.

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J. Caver Distillery has been around since 2013, with its production facility and tasting room opening to the public in 2015. Over the years, the company has produced some award-winning and unique liquors, such as aquavit, bourbon, rye whiskey, wheat whiskey, cordials, gin, vodka, and liqueurs.

Sad To Share The News

The social media post was lengthy and noted that "the owners of J. Carver Distillery have made the difficult decision to close our doors."

Image Credit: Paul Shea/TSM

"Last Call:

We are sad to share the news that the owners of J. Carver Distillery have made the difficult decision to close our doors. We are proud of what we’ve built together, and this was not a decision made lightly. While an exact closing date has not yet been set, we expect to complete this transition no later than October 2026.

When J. Carver was founded, our goal was simple: to create unique, locally sourced, artisan craft spirits for the Minnesota market. Over the years, we introduced more than 20 high-quality products, opened a welcoming cocktail room, hosted memorable events, and were honored with a number of awards. We have had a lot fun, met many interesting and enjoyable people, and had a very loyal fan base. Many of you we now consider good friends.

While the spirits business is often fun, it is also highly challenging. The demands continue to grow, while returns have become more limited. After careful consideration, we have determined that further investment is not justified by the potential rewards.

We are deeply grateful for the dedication and commitment of our owners, employees, and volunteers. A special thank you to Gina, whose tireless effort, leadership, and passion helped shape who we are. Few people give as much of themselves as Gina has, and we are better for it.

We are equally thankful for our loyal customers, including many outstanding restaurants and liquor stores, and especially those who spent time with us in the cocktail room or at our events. Your support, encouragement, and friendship have meant more than we can fully express. We will truly miss those interactions.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to our suppliers, distributors, and those federal, state, and local partners who supported us along the way.

In the months ahead, we hope you’ll find time to visit us, share a final cocktail, or take home a bottle. We are planning a few additional gatherings before we close and would truly enjoy seeing you again. We will soon make our “Last Call!”

Thank you for being part of this journey. It has been a privilege to serve you and to be part of this community."

Still Time To Enjoy A Drink

The closing won't be until later this year, so you've got the summer to get out and enjoy one more drink with family and friends. J. Carver Distillery is located at 1320 Mill Lane in Waconia.

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Gallery Credit: Paul Shea/TSM