Photo courtesy of Threadbare Cider

By Justin Criado

Spring Garden’s Wigle Whiskey is expanding its space and spirits in Northside with the announcement of Threadbare Cider.

Located within walking distance of the barrelhouse on Spring Garden Avenue, the new building is a former tannery from the 1840s, which will be turned in to a meadery, barrel house and entertainment venue. There will also be ample parking space.

“We’ve developed a number of fruit-based and honey spirits,” co-owner Meredith Grelli said. “We got to a point where we wanted to bottle [cider].”

The decision to make cider came after some research discovered forager Johnny Chapman (aka Johnny Appleseed) gathered his seeds from the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas, making Western Pa. the true starting point of the American cider industry.

With a tentative opening date of Nov. 1, the Threadbare team will be hosting consumer groups for feedback, while updates and announcements will be available online.

“There’s an immense amount of build-out and construction [that needs to take place],” Grelli said of the new space.

The first focus group will be held later this month. For more information and to sign up for a focus group visit the official website.