By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News
KYMN Morning Show Interview (11/12/2024): Simeon Rossi and Mark Schiller of Loon Liquors
PREVIOUS STORY (11/15/2024): Tax Abatement Deal Approved, Clearing The Way For Loon Liquors To Buy The Former Northfield News Building
Last Thursday, Loon Liquors officially closed on its purchase of the former Northfield News building at 115 5th Street West, in Downtown Northfield. Loon Liquors was founded by two Northfield High School graduates, Simeon Rossi and Mark Schiller. The distillery was founded in 2011 and sources 90% of its ingredients within 10 miles of Northfield. Loon Liquors has been described as a “destination distillery” with estimations that 80% of its customers to the cocktail room come from outside of Northfield. They also sell their liquor in stores across Minnesota.
The process of moving has been a long one for Loon Liquors, which has been looking to move from its current location on Armstrong Road in the industrial area of Northfield for several years. The Northfield News building started as a tractor parts store, before becoming a supper club and bowling alley for several years. In the 1970s, the building became the home of the Northfield News until 2022, when the newspaper moved out and the City of Northfield purchased the building. For a time, the Riverwalk Market Fair rented the building from the city, but for 3 years, the building largely sat vacant.
That was until Loon Liquors and the city began discussing purchasing the building. Nate Carlson, the Northfield Economic Development Coordinator, stated that this was a good deal for everyone:
“The city acquired this building in 2022 from the news, and the building was completely underutilized. Only three people were operating out of this massive building. And so we’ve had a few different ideas come to play and then Loon needed a new home… It’s everything that an economic development person dreams of retaining a business, growing a business, and having the community an opportunity to celebrate that business.” – Nate Carlon, City of Northfield Economic Development Coordinator
Financial support for the project came from the City of Northfield’s Economic Development Authority, which provided a small loan for the project. The largest loan came from Community Resource Bank. In an email to KYMN, Sam Ringstad stated that Community Resource Bank was proud to help support the project:
“Supporting Loon Liquors as they purchase, renovate, and rejuvenate the former Northfield News building is an investment in the heart and future of our community. They look to create jobs, grow the local economy, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to help them grow their business. We’re honored to continue to support Mark and Simeon in their journey and look forward to seeing the positive impact they are making on Northfield.” – Sam Ringstad, Vice President of Community Resource Bank
The event was well attended and included a signing ceremony. Rossi and Schiller signed the forms to purchase the building, followed by the two beginning the demolition of one of the walls. The building was sold for $960,000.
Rossi and Schiller then gave a tour of the building, showing their ideas for the space. The renovation will include their new larger cocktail room, flour mill to create and serve pizza, and space for expanded distilling operations. Here’s Schiller after the closing on the building:
“You know, we really set our hopes on getting good at production and focus on doing well in the liquor stores and knowing that it wouldn’t ever be our forever home [the current location at Armstrong Road]. You know, we’re thinking about Farm Distillery at one point. We were thinking about the Northfield Post Office.” – Mark Schiller, co-owner of Loon Liquors
When asked how they felt about the day, Rossi said he was speechless at times:
“We’re kind of speechless in a lot of ways, right? So many emotions, but it’s excitement and it’s relief, you know, I mean, the process to get here, there are a lot of ups and downs. I mean, we were really lucky to have the advisors, the support, the different folks who are working with.” – Simeon Rossi, co-owner of Loon Liquors
The expansion to downtown will not only expand their cocktail room, but it will also allow them to expand their distilling operations in the coming years to Wisconsin and other states:
The expansion to downtown will not only expand their cocktail room, but it will also allow them to expand their distilling operations in the coming years to Wisconsin and other states:
“We’re excited to to help out or to offer our products out in Wisconsin. Really excited about that. We’ve got a number of different people who have gone to our distillery in our current location who have been from Wisconsin. So we’re really excited to, to be able to offer our products out there” – Mark Schiller, co-owner of Loon Liquors
Will keep you updated with information about Loon Liquors and their expansions.
“It has been a huge project and it’s only starting.” – Simeon Rossi, co-owner of Loon Liquors
I had an opportunity to talk with Mark and Simeon after closing about the day and the future of Loon Liquors. You can hear the full conversation on our website here:
Correction: A previous version of this story mistated that the building was sold for $1.2 million. The correct price was $960,000.
Newscasts on KYMN air on weekdays at 6am, 7am, 8:30am, Noon, 3pm, and 5pm. If you miss it live, you can subscribe on your preferred podcast app:
> Click here to listen on Spotify
> Click here to listen on Apple Podcast
Do you have a news tip or press release? Send it to us email: Logan@kymnradio.net
