The transformation is well underway on High Bank Distillery’s Gahanna expansion. The Grandview-based distillery will open its second location this spring at 1379 E. Johnstown Rd.
High Bank President & Co-Founder Jordan Helman gave CU a peek behind the scenes as the 7,500 square foot space takes shape.
Occupying the former site of a home decor store, High Bank is building out its restaurant and distillery space from the ground up, but the design will pay homage to the existing structure.
“From a design perspective, High Bank one is definitely that modern, industrial feel…we’re trying to stay true to that, but with this structure being very much a barn, we’re trying to incorporate some of those modern, industrial farmhouse touches as well,” Helman says.
That inspiration will come through in touches like wood paneling walls finished to replicate the inside of a barrel and corrugated steel elements that mimic the building’s roof.
High Bank will keep its signature open floor plan, but add a few new styles of seating. There will be a couple of horseshoe-shaped booths, banquette seating and a mix of high- and low-top tables. Helman says while they’ve always considered themselves more restaurant than bar, they’re a lively one at that, so have leaned into high-tops. But expecting more families in the new location, they’ll mix in more traditional table seating.
Other new additions will include a lounge-style seating area with couches and chairs that guests can inhabit while waiting for a table, as well as a private, 10-person dining room with a TV and A/V capabilities.
The sizable bar has room for about 30, with TVs down the middle and a few others scattered throughout the space. The patio, which has three garage doors down its length to flow into the restaurant in warmer months, will seat about 50 to 60. Total capacity will be about 200, plus the patio, making it similar in size to Grandview.
The two locations will share a menu to start, but Helman says each restaurant team will get a chance to be more expressive over time.
“I think long term we might really define core items, but then maybe try to find, like, maybe three or four drinks and three or four items on the food menu that can kind of vary from location to location,” Helman says.
Initially, High Bank anticipated incorporating barrel storage into the Gahanna location, but logistically it made more sense to keep aging in Grandview, where they just dedicated an additional 5,000 square feet to barrel storage. High Bank will be distilling on-site in Gahanna, though. A small room off the kitchen will hold a 15-gallon still, which could potentially be a playground for more experimental spirits.
High Bank in Gahanna will aim for a soft opening the last week of April, next rolling into reservation only for a short time, then a week of dinner and brunch only hours, before finally arriving at full tilt the second week of May.
Helman says staffing will be the biggest variable in getting to a full schedule, but is hopeful that they’ll be able to attract a strong team as they have at the Grandview location.
Until Gahanna debuts, patrons can find the High Bank experience at 1051 Goodale Blvd.
For more information, visit highbankco.com.
All photos by Susan Post
