New Craft Spirits Shop Will Have Food, Beer & More

File this under Things That Should Already Exist...with San Diego's cocktail culture booming, why isn't there a hub for bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts alike, where you can stock your home bar and discover new-to-you craft spirits?

Enter Native Spirits Bar and Bottle Shop. Proprietors Gary McIntire and Logan Mitchell, who operate the private supper club, Cellar Door, plan to open their new store in place of Awash Market, which is moving its operation west to 2104 El Cajon Boulevard in June.

The couple intends to launch a Kickstarter campaign in April to help fund the update and remodel the 3,500-square-foot space, with plans to reopen by this summer. When it debuts, Native Spirits won't be a typical liquor store; it'll have a rustic, 1940's warehouse feel, with glass roll-up doors in front and polished concrete floors. A new 30-foot-long bar will be installed, facing a 15-door fridge filled with a curated selection of craft beer, wine and more.

The front of the store will hold a collection of local, regional and hard-to-find spirits, including an extensive variety of amaro. McIntire says he's aiming to serve low ABV cocktails that feature sake and fortified wine. Native Spirits hopes to work directly with San Diego craft distilleries, including the soon-to-debut Old Harbor Distilling Co., to create small batches of spirits exclusively for the shop. They'll also focus on cocktail education - holding tastings, featuring guest bartenders, and stocking everything from bar basics to more esoteric cocktail supplies.

The market has a full kitchen and dining room in the rear of the space, where diners will be able to open and drink bottles they purchase in the store; moving in is Spanglish Eats, a local food truck that will go brick-and-mortar, renaming themselves Spanglish Kitchen and expanding their menu of Latin-inspired New American cuisine.
· Native Spirits [Official Site]
· All Coming Attractions on Eater [~ESD~]