Flagstaff Featured Business: Railside Spirits
(as published in the December 16 edition of The Community Press)
The Flagstaff Region Featured Business is a monthly newspaper and web feature presented in partnership by Flagstaff County and The Community Press.
Railside Spirits
4909 48 Avenue; Sedgewick
780-385-5894
Adam Watkins speaks from experience – and from the heart – when asked what advice he has for any would-be entrepreneurs looking to start up a business in the Flagstaff Region.
The affable owner of Railside Spirits in Sedgewick offers three proven recommendations to ensure your venture gets going and stays on track.
First, make sure you have a solid support staff.
“It’s pretty obvious when you come here,” Watkins chuckles, “I have family that’s around, that is very hard-working, dedicated and creative, that you just can’t beat. Makes my life easier.”
Second, keep your mind on your tasks.
“That’s always a big thing, just in life,” he says.
And third, appreciate everybody that walks through your door.
“That one, I can’t say enough,” Watkins adds. “If they’ve decided to come to see you for whatever you’re doing, there’s nothing better than that. You should appreciate them for being there.”
Customers have been walking through his door for the past two-and-a-half years.
The Little Liquor Store That Could, which boasts a spacious walk-in beer cooler, opened its doors May long weekend 2018. A stone’s throw from the railroad tracks running through town, Railside Spirits has been chugging along ever since.
The Christmas season at Railside is an especially fun time, notes Watkins.
“We always try and do fun things here leading up to Christmas,” he adds.
The shelves are stocked with a variety of yuletide gift packs and stocking stuffers. Festive offerings include: advent wine calendars, vodka gift packs, a selection of Baileys Irish Cream, Crown Royal gift boxes, Jack Daniel’s gift packs, and Erdinger beer packs, as well as an assortment of local craft beer in a range of flavours such as pineapple and banana bread.
Speaking of beer, Railside is also home to a growler station. Try what’s stocked in the station and if it suits your tastes, fill up a growler with it.
Throughout the year, Railside supplies liquor for local lounges, community groups and a number of special events in the area. The list includes: Branch 55, OT’s, The Wild Rose Co-op Recreation Centre, the Sedgewick Golf Course, the Flagstaff Scottish Club, and the Killam Firemen’s Ball.
“If you have a business that you would like supplied to, we do offer delivery,” notes Watkins, who takes pride in keeping up with the latest trends in addition to providing the tried-and-true classics.
“If there’s a new idea, we look into it. We are always looking. We have a suggestion list, so that if anybody wants to try something or they have tried something and we don’t have it, we will do our best to try and bring it in for them.”
Also check out the feature in the December 16 edition of The Community Press – available for digital purchase anytime. Never miss an issue, become a SUBSCRIBER today!
The Flagstaff Region Featured Business is a monthly newspaper and web feature presented in partnership by Flagstaff County and The Community Press. For more information, contact Jenalee Waring, Economic Development Coordinator, at 780-384-4152.
