After delays, Victor George Spirits moving forward with plans for Black-owned distillery venue in Fort Lauderdale

This is “Small Bites,” a South Florida Sun Sentinel feature with tiny tidbits on the food and beverage scene — because we know that sometimes you just don’t have room for a long article. You want a little news brief instead, an amuse bouche of information, if you will. Enjoy!

WHAT:

Fort Lauderdale’s very own Victor George Spirits is breaking through and breaking ground. Literally.

Billed as Florida’s only Black-owned distillery, the company is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, June 25, for what will be called The Victory Building, named in honor of the original, historic Victory Theatre once located nearby on Sistrunk Boulevard.

In addition to the distillery, the plan is for the 15,000-square-foot venue at 1017 Sistrunk Blvd. to house a restaurant, cigar bar, whiskey lounge, event space, and a rooftop bar and lounge.

Expect a debut in about 16 months, the developers say.

“We started working on this project in 2019 and, after encountering several challenges including the pandemic, we were able to stay the course and see it through,” says Victor G. Harvey, owner and CEO. “This building will provide the community and our city, along with those that visit, the best and most vibrant experiences to enjoy along with creating several jobs, most of which will come from the community.”

In addition to financing from his own company, Northeast 6th Development, the project will use a $2.45 million forgivable loan provided by the Fort Lauderdale Community Redevelopment Agency.

The company’s brands include Victor George Vodka, Victor George Caramel-Flavored Vodka and Fort Mose’ 1738 Bourbon (named after the first settlement and town in which Black people could live free established in 1738 two miles north of St. Augustine).

EXTRA TIDBIT:

Victor George Spirits has been boozing and schmoozing at big name events such as Kodak Black’s car/bike show in Pompano Beach and a “Love & Hip Hop Miami” watch party in Miramar.

Victor George Spirits is sold in 45 states, including at all Total Wine, Trader Joe’s, Crown Wine & Spirits and Primo Liquors, among others. The company has a distribution deal with Breakthru Beverages, one of the country’s largest alcoholic beverage distributors.

INFORMATION:

For more details, visit victorgeorgevodka.com. You can also check out: instagram.com/vgvodka, facebook.com/OfficialVGvodka and x.com/vgvodka.