LEWIS CENTER, Ohio (WCMH) – A central Ohio business is in the process of transforming a historic schoolhouse near Polaris into a distillery with a dog-friendly patio. 

DoG Distilling Company is renovating a schoolhouse that has stood in Lewis Center since 1868 at 3773 East Powell Road. The company is owned by married couples Wes and Kelly Stark, and Kevin and Lauri Webb. 

“We’ve been friends for like 17 years and we’re all going to be empty nesters here in a couple months,” Wes said. “We just wanted something different to do and something to provide for the community.”

  • A rendering of the production facility that will be located behind the historic schoolhouse.
  • The distillery’s logo is inspired by the Webb’s dog Brinley.

The concept started with the Webbs, when they began brewing their own spirits at home and created a small business, dubbed Distillers of Galena LLC (DoG). The couples, who both own dogs, then came together to create DoG Distilling Company. 

“We’ll offer beer, wine, scotch, rum, we’ll have tequila,” Wes said. “We’ll have all of those, but DoG Distilling will be producing and mainly featuring our vodka, gin and whiskey. But we will have something for everybody, including zero-proof drinks, or non-alcoholic.”

The owners are planning to break ground on a 128-foot by 36-foot production facility located behind the schoolhouse on July 8, according to Wes. The facility will include a bar, warming kitchen, an outdoor firepit and dog-friendly, covered patio open throughout the year. Along with spirits, the distillery will serve snack foods such as soft pretzels and charcuterie. 

While the production facility will sport an industrial look, the schoolhouse will be 1920s-themed. 

“The theme of [the schoolhouse] will be more of a speakeasy slash prohibition era vibe,”  Wes said. “We’ll use that for mixology classes and also as a rentable venue.”

Wes said he and the other owners are aiming to open the distillery this November.