USA, NV: George Racz – the story of a successful distillery owner in the Las Vegas Valley
Ten years ago, George Racz couldn’t speak a word of English; today, he owns and operates the Las Vegas Distillery, the first in the state, Las Vegas Review Journal reported on March 26.
Coming a long way since the first legal distillation in 2011, Racz plans to open a whiskey and spirits bar Friday and Saturday evenings starting in April at the distillery, 7330 Eastgate Road, Suite 110.
The distillery produces whiskey, vodka, gin, rum and moonshine in its two pot stills, dubbed the Las Vegas Copper Angels for Racz’s grandfather’s “not so legal” Transylvanian distillery. Despite the unusualness of aging spirits in a dry climate, Racz believes it adds to the products’ uniqueness.
In January 2009, Racz and his wife moved west to pursue their American dream of starting the state’s first distillery in the Las Vegas Valley.
“In many places, like where I was born, people do not get the opportunity or possibility. Life is just flying away,” he said. “In America, you will not just get one chance but many, and you create your own opportunities. That is wonderful and unbelievably unique to the rest of the world.”
Starting a business is generally difficult, but in Racz’s case, being the first in an industry came with its own set of challenges. There were no Nevada laws or regulations for manufacturing alcohol because no one had done it. The health district and fire department struggled to tell him which permits the distillery needed because there were no precedents.
“Las Vegas is a cocktail city,” Racz said. “Alcohol is a multibillion-dollar industry, and all the spirits, until now, were just imported. We hoped that by being the first, it would be a good business to get into.”
“We went with one of the two big distribution companies, but after a year, we were in a hard situation because we weren’t selling enough,” Racz said. “We were too small, and they were too big. We weren’t matching each other.”
Enter Racz’s friend, Justin Wallin, a local construction company owner who asked how he could help support Racz.
“I told him the most useful thing would be to make a distribution company to sell my products,” Racz said. “It was a half-joke, half-serious comment, but he came back a few days later and said, ‘OK, I’ll do it.’ ”
Through Wallin, Booze Brothers Beverages was born, and Racz overcame his distribution woes while complying with state laws.
The city of Henderson also helped Racz and the breweries change the buildings’ zoning to including not only manufacturing but also small retail shops and tap rooms.
“We realize the value that each of these businesses brings to Henderson,” said Mayor Andy Hafen. “The hundreds of small businesses in our community are a big part of the lifeblood of our city. These companies contribute to the growth of our local economy and help keep valuable dollars and jobs in our community.”
Although Racz continues to own the only distillery in Southern Nevada, he said five have opened up north in the past year.
“Jim Bean and Jack Daniel’s — these brands started with a crazy human being just thinking outside the box, and we share that kind of crazy thinking,” Racz said. “This has been a very up and down kind of journey, but I would do it again because I am not alone anymore.”
01 April, 2015
