NEWARK, N.J. — All Points West Distillery, a staple of Newark’s craft spirits scene for nearly a decade, has announced plans to shutter its Ironbound facility and relocate operations to Kingston, New York. Founder Gil Spaier and business partner Kate Zuckerman cited New Jersey’s restrictive regulatory climate as the primary catalyst for the move.
The award-winning distillery—known for its whiskey, gin, rum, and vodka—holds one of only 18 full craft distillery licenses issued by New Jersey’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. However, facing a 20 percent drop in wholesale revenue since 2022 due to shifting consumer habits, industry consolidation, and competition from commercial brands, company leaders determined that staying in the state was no longer sustainable.
Craft distillers across the Garden State have long pressed lawmakers in Trenton for statutory reforms to help offset broader industry headwinds. Key legislative priority items include:
Direct-to-Consumer Shipping: Allowing distillers to ship products directly to customers, a practice modeled after Kentucky’s “Bourbon Without Borders” framework.
On-Site Dining and Expanded Beverage Choices: Permitting tasting rooms to serve food and retail other locally produced craft beers and wines.
Production Cap Relief: Expanding limits on how much spirit volume small-scale facilities can distil annually.
While former Governor Phil Murphy signed 2024 legislation easing restrictions primarily for craft breweries, similar relief measures for distilleries have stalled in committee. Though Governor Mikie Sherrill recently signed a bill permanently legalizing takeout cocktail sales, industry representatives note the measure primarily benefits traditional bars and restaurants rather than standalone distilleries.
In contrast, New York’s regulatory model grants craft producers direct-to-consumer shipping rights, permits full kitchen operations, allows local beer and wine service, and provides tax credits based on production volume to offset state excise costs.
All Points West expects to transition its operations to the Hudson Valley in early 2027, concluding nearly ten years of production in Newark.
