Jon O'Connor: So You Want To Build a Booming Craft Distillery?

In this episode, recorded live at the Gordon Food Service Food Show in Grand Rapids, Claudia and Spencer sit down with Jon O’Connor, the co-founder of Long Road Distillers - the first distillery in Grand Rapids built on a grain-to-glass, no-shortcuts philosophy.Jon shares how a few late-night whiskey conversations turned into a full-scale distilling operation, built on Michigan agriculture, craftsmanship, and a commitment to transparency. He talks about the leap from real estate to spirits, partnering with friends, and transforming a rundown historic building into a cornerstone of a now-thriving neighborhood cluster of breweries, restaurants, and makers.This episode dives into: 🍽️ The origin story of Long Road Distillers and why Grand Rapids needed a distillery 🍽️ Michigan’s unique agriculture and how it shaped their approach 🍽️ The realities of risk-taking, failing fast, and building something from scratch 🍽️ Community building, neighborhood investment, and civic involvement 🍽️ The early make-or-break moments they survived 🍽️ How the craft spirits industry is evolving and where Jon sees it headedIf you’re interested in entrepreneurship, hospitality, spirits, or the behind-the-scenes of building a beloved local brand, this one’s packed with insight and heart.-------------------------🔗 Learn MoreBack of House: www.backofhouse.io🎧 Listen to more episodes of So You Want to Run a Restaurant, powered by Back ofHouse.io, a Gordon Food Service brand, wherever you get your podcasts.Follow @wearebackofhouse for more insights and stories from restaurant founders, owners, and operators.-------------------------🔗 Sponsored by LocalizerManage reviews, boost visibility, and get more guests in the door.Listeners get 25% off the first 3 months: localyser.com/podcast-------------------------⭐ Follow UsPodcast: https://linktr.ee/soyouwanttorunarestaurantClaudia: https://www.instagram.com/claudia.saric/Spencer: https://www.instagram.com/restaurantspenny/