 SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Last Shot Distillery was not named by accident. Chris Uyehara had often thought about the business he would like to start. It takes a lot of juggling to get all the pieces to fit: product, location, funding, equipment, viable partners, etc. But, Chris recognized when the time was right and consulted the SBDC and worked with Nancy Ansteth on his business plan. At the time he was negotiating a location in the Village of Skaneateles. It seemed as though every new inspection of the building revealed another roadblock. Eventually Chris announced he found a partner, John Menapace, who had a potential site for the distillery’s location: a former mill at 4022 Mill Road, just outside the Village of Skaneateles.
Equipment was ordered (and stalled as it was mistaken for a part of a rocket at customs), received and installed. Chris applied his knowledge of distillation and in 2015 opened an on-site taste room where locals were introduced to future bourbon, gin and vodka. The uniqueness of the business led the curious to Mill Road and the site became a popular venue for music and gatherings. At this same location Chris also started a brewery which has also gained acclaim. The facility has been expanded, music is offered sometimes 2-3 times a week. More recently, Chris won the Discovery Channel’s Season 3, Moonshiners: Master Distiller. In the “Whiskeys of the World” competition Chris’ entry was a Japanese-style whiskey which calls for four types of malted grain. He won out over an American-style and a Scotch whiskey. Chris felt that working with his SBDC advisor enabled him to explore the vision he had for his business. LINKS:
2 Comments
7/6/2022 16:22:53
I was raised in Onondaga County but currently living in GA. I'm looking to expand my IT/Admin. business in a HubZone. I am currently a Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) working in Central and south American on Military contracts as the Prime contractor. Please review my website and look over our company qualifications and our managements resumes. I also own a company I mothballed for the last 5 years. Sunrise Solutions of the Americas (SSLC). We worked at the SBA on 3td Street, Washington DC. as Program Management in the CIO office for approximately 5 years. SSLC did receive a few awards.. VSI a Prime contractor and SSLC the Subcontractor worked at the White House in various capacities for 15 years. VSI's contract was renewed 3 x for 5 yrs. ea. VSI & SSLC together would like to expand to upstate NY. (PH. 703-899-5347)
Onondaga SBDC
7/7/2022 08:32:15
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Email: sbdc@sunyocc.edu
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Phone: 315-498-6070
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Onondaga Small Business Development Center. Partnership Program with the SBA, administered by the State University of New York. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
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