FAIRFAX, Ohio (WKRC) — Karrikin Spirits, a well-known distillery, is on the market for a new owner seven years after its inception.
Owner Dan Hueber, who initially invested in the business when it opened in late 2018, is looking to sell the thriving enterprise as he plans to retire.
71-year-old Hueber is a cabinetmaker by trade. He took full ownership of Karrikin after buying out his partners post-COVID pandemic. He has since dedicated himself to improving the business, working 60-hour weeks.
“You know, if I were younger, I wouldn’t even think about selling this. But I’m trying to retire, trying to get myself to slow down. I was here till midnight last night,” Hueber said.
The distillery’s offerings include a variety of spirits such as bourbon, gin, vodka, and an agave spirit similar to tequila, along with sparkling seltzers and beer. One of its products, Orion’s Reserve, an eight-year-old bourbon, recently won a gold medal at a national whiskey competition.
Hueber’s initial investment in Karrikin was approximately $2 million, and he is now seeking $4.3 million for the business. The distillery also serves as a warehouse for large liquor shipments for other companies, with some rebranded under the Karrikin label.
The business is open to the public on weekends, offering food and serving as an event space. Hueber hopes the new owner will expand this aspect as he looks to settle down on his Clermont County farm.
“I think the right person is going to come in here and really be inspired and see the opportunity here. It’s a beautiful space. We’ve got top-notch equipment, a fantastic head brewer, and somebody that can rock and roll with this thing and make it go,” Hueber said.
Prospective buyers have already begun touring the facility, and Hueber is optimistic about the future of Karrikin Spirits.
“I’ve learned a lot about distilling and the restaurant and event side. It’s a bit foreign to me, and there’s a huge opportunity here for that. So, I’m just trying to see that the people that I brought on board, who are great, have an opportunity to move forward. I want to see this place really do well,” Hueber said.
Karrikin Spirits is open Friday and Saturday to the public from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. It’s located at 3717 Jonlen Drive, Fairfax, OH, 45227.