HIGH BANK CO. ANNOUNCES THIRD LOCATION
COLUMBUS, OH — High Bank Co, announces they are set to open a restaurant and speakeasy in Uptown Westerville in Spring 2024.
The third High Bank location will be located at 28 South State Street, featuring a 3600+/- square foot full-service restaurant and bar including two patios, a retail store and exterior DORA window (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area). In addition, there will be a 2,000+/- square foot speakeasy located underground, featuring an elevated and creative cocktail menu with light eats.
Why Westerville? Prohibition is said to have started in Westerville, Ohio, just 12 miles from High Bank’s distillery location in Grandview. In 1875, a man named Henry Corbin took a chance and opened a saloon in an area known to strongly oppose the consumption of distilled spirits. Not once, but twice, the saloon was blown up. It was said before the first explosion, he came outside to address the protesters with two pistols drawn. That single act is believed to have ignited the “Whiskey War” of prohibition and launched the Anti-Saloon League.
Adam Hines, co-founder and Master Distiller, speaks to why this location is so unique.
“We want to honor and preserve the history of Westerville by bringing our third location to a city with such a rich story. We are excited to tell stories and create experiences for the community through both our restaurant and distillery. We are renovating the old Post Office building into two entirely new spaces. Actual Prohibition, anti-saloon league propaganda was mailed out from this building, which is amazing to me.
My family and I moved to Westerville in 2014. I have seen how much the community has grown over the last decade and am excited to continue to raise my family here. It has always been my dream to have a High Bank location here to contribute to the culture and community of Uptown Westerville.”
— Master Distiller and co-founder Adam Hines
The speakeasy downstairs will be a nod to Henry Corbin and the Prohibition era, as an extension of our Whiskey War brand. It will offer a specialty cocktail menu in a sophisticated, intimate space. This will be an entirely different experience than the current High Bank locations.
The 2.7M project is being co-developed by Steve Wathen of Equity and John A. Brooks of BTTS Holdings and represents a significant private investment in Uptown Westerville. The complex building conversion will be led by another local company, WSA Studio.
John Brooks, Managing Partner of BTTS, speaks to why this partnership means so much.
“I grew up in Westerville, just down the street from this new High Bank location. We have a specialty High Bank cocktail menu available at all of our event venues. As a local resident and business owner, to play a part in bringing a national award-winning operator to our nationally award winning community is special. We are two locally owned and operated companies with shared values coming together to bring unique experiences to this great neighborhood.”
— Managing Partner of BTTS John Brooks
The City Of Westerville is thrilled for this new addition to the community.
“Everything is right about having this High Bank investment in Westerville. Both Adam Hines and John Brooks are part of this community, and they have a vision for this space that perfectly complements what is special about Uptown Westerville. The High Bank brand in Uptown makes it an even more compelling destination for food, fun and entertainment.”
— Westerville City Manager Monica Irelan
The exterior design will keep the historic building in-tact with crown-molding and original brickwork, paired with the interior mixing modern furnishings of High Bank’s classic industrial aesthetic.
High Bank Westerville is set to open Spring 2024.
About High Bank Co.
High Bank Co. is a local Columbus restaurant, bar and distillery founded in 2017. Serving an elevated yet casual menu, while focusing on local and seasonally inspired ingredients paired with their distillery's award-winning spirits. High Bank offers two locations in Grandview and Gahanna, OH. Their distillery holds the title for the Best Blended Whiskey In America in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Dine. Drink. Distill. For more information, visit highbankco.com.
About BTTS Holdings Inc.
BTTS is central Ohio’s leading all inclusive event venues operator with 5 locations and 6 ballrooms throughout central Ohio featuring award winning catering and floral design. With a strong Gives Back focus, BTTS exists to serve clients, coworkers and community. With corporate headquarters in Uptown Westerville, John A. Brooks actively invests in the area to contribute to an authentic and alive Uptown. For more information, visit www.btts.biz