08.07.24 Heaven Hill’s Gift Shop

This week, I attended Visit Bardstown's hospitality meeting at Heaven Hill's new restaurant, Five Brother Bar & Grill, located on the second floor of their visitors center.  It is set to open to the public this month.  I really love the layout, as it is very spacious, with a nice mix of tables and cozy seating areas.  There is also a large private meeting room, which is where Monday's meeting took place.

On my last visit to Heaven Hill, I didn't have the chance to stop at their gift show.  I made sure to stop in while I was there this week! I'm so glad I did.  It is a treasure trove for bourbon enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.  It certainly has an inviting ambiance, as in the other curated historical space in their visitor center.  I was most impressed with the wide variety of merchandise on display.  There is definitely something for everyone!  Everything from books to apparently to quirky bourbon knick-knacks.  They really do have it all.

Accessibility is a priority at Heaven Hill. It's evident in the wide staircase and navigating their museum exhibits. It's the same inside the gift shop. It's easy to explore their thoughtful displays with ease.  I appreciate visible price tags and clear signage.  I visited a different distillery a few months ago and was very surprised there were no price tags on merchandise or price signage on display tables.  I also appreciate the abundance of light present not only in the gift shop but also at the visitor center's entrance and upstairs in their new restaurant.

My perspective on lighting is simple.   If a store is going to have thoughtfully curated and layered displays, why not have great lighting?  Plus, the older we get, the smaller our pupils get, and we need more light.   Overall, the displays were vibrant, and the various focal points implemented throughout the store were nice to see.   I liked all the seasonal items as well, which created a sense of urgency with shoppers.

The best word to describe the shopping experience in Heaven Hill's gift shop is “adventure"!

I’ll leave you with a few pics of the new Five Brothers Bar and Restaurant.  I’m excited that a Benedictine sandwich is on the menu!