Meet the Makers: Midstate Distillery

Midstate Distillery is a true family-built labor of love. Business partners since 2013 and brothers-in-law since 2005, Brian and his co-founder first worked together at Brian’s countertop manufacturing company before deciding it was time for a major change. At the same time, Central Pennsylvania was craving something new. The idea that took hold was small batch liquor, with the ambitious goal of opening the first distillery in the Harrisburg area since Prohibition.

In December 2013, the founders purchased the former Smith Paint building at 1817 N. Cameron Street and began the long, hands-on process of transforming it into Midstate Distillery. Windows, gutters, and exhaust fans had to be replaced. Brickwork and chimneys needed patching. There was extensive cleaning and painting. An abandoned tractor trailer even had to be hauled from the parking lot.

With the help of generous friends and family, the industrial space slowly became a warm and stylish tasting room. The bar was crafted from salvaged wood from the building’s original front, preserving a piece of its history. The renovation period also gave the team time to refine their recipes and build partnerships with local businesses to source ingredients. By January 2016, the distillery opened its doors to the public and began hosting events in its tasting room and cocktail lounge.

A significant shift came in 2022. To accommodate growing production, the distillery closed its Cameron Street tasting room and expanded into two new locations. In September 2022, Midstate Distillery joined the Hershey Fresh Market family and introduced a bar inside the market that serves craft cocktails and bottled spirits. In December 2022, a new tasting room opened in Windsor Park Plaza in Mechanicsburg, a freshly renovated space that blends modern comfort with familiar elements from the original location. The Cameron Street site remains open with limited hours for bottle purchases.

Midstate Distillery began as a vision in 2013 and continues to evolve, rooted in craftsmanship, community partnerships, and a passion for Pennsylvania-made spirits. The Fresh Market is proud to share their story and invite guests to experience it in every pour.