High Spirits in High Cotton
Sara Lee Crumbs had just received the license and hours from the Atlanta Airport,” Spirits are moving in Southwest had invested in the building on he said. “The fact that it is a Georgia and the residents aren’t the farm. McClendon insisted sandy area with rolling hills and scared. That’s because the spirits on moving the business to the we’re above the Georgia Aquifer flowing in Richland, GA are the city which desperately needed the here and you have access to the kind to be savored in the new future revenue and recognition purest water that anyone can business of Richland Rum. The that the potential business could want.” Vonk says with all those brainchild of Erik and Karyn bring. factors combined and the chance Vonk, Richland Rum has had “After reflecting on it for a to live and work next to some favorable effect on the small rural while I thought he’s right” Vonk great people and neighbors is the community of roughly 1400. said. “So we packed our bags and wonderful. Beginning with a dream to raise acquired the building and fixed it Business is good for the small sugar cane and make rum, the up. When we moved in around business and the benefits to the Vonks, originally from Holland, 2010 or 2011, the building had community is tangible in the pride found their way to Richland after been boarded up for about 26 they take in sharing the good news several business ventures in bigger years.” of their latest economic venture in cities including Atlanta. Richland, That was the first building on a rural community such as theirs. according to Erik Vonk was the main street purchased for the However, the journey is not yet farthest north that you could raise distillery. The following year, completed for Richland Rum. The sugar cane. the business expanded next door distillery has led to the opening “I’ve always had this fascination to a building which housed a of a nice shop across the street for with rum,” Vonk said. “I thought former jewelry store and had been those interested in purchasing the if ever there was an and other Georgia “It’s rural, it’s beautiful and at the rumgrown opportunity to buy wines and treats. some land where one end of the day, it is only two hours While a great addition, cane grow sugar can it also hints at an I’ll do it. And here we from the Atlanta Airport.” Vonk said. ongoing issue facing the were living in Atlanta five major distilleries and I had learned that this area partially closed for about 19 years. in Georgia. They can’t sell the had produced some sugar cane Only the front of the building was product at the distillery unlike and we looked around for quite a used for a dance school for a short wineries who are allowed to sell few years and found a place.” time. their product on site. After enjoying the fruits of their Now with the location “I would say that the most labor with family and friends and established, the distillery produces important one is getting receiving positive feedback on the about one barrel per day with licenses,” Vonk said. “Not for the quality of the rum, they decided 52 gallons of rum at 120 proof, unwillingness of all the people that to take the next step. In 2007 they approximately, according to Vonk. we have worked with both at the decided to install the still and This breaks down to 380 bottles state and federal level. We’ve only began the process of applying for of rum produced on a daily basis encountered very proactive, very a distiller’s license which came in from the distillery or 2,000 a week friendly, and very knowledgeable 2010. They built a small space on or 8,000 a month. professionals. But who are a part the farm with the still and were The advantages of working and of this archaic legal system which about to venture into the world living in a small rural community finds its roots back to the end of of rum making on a professional are quite evident to the Vonks prohibition. It is very difficult to level when Richland Mayor who are eager to point it out to work through. That has been a Adolph McClendon approached others who are seeking a change of huge challenge.” them on taking their business pace in their business and quality Vonk emphasizes that the inside the city limits of Richland. of life. overall interaction with those At first, the Vonks resisted the “It’s rural, it’s beautiful and at in the community and varying ideas based on the fact that they the end of the day, it is only two levels of government have been RuralLeaderMagazine.com 23
