Central Standard Craft Distillery to open tasting room, event space in historic Milwaukee building

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A classic Cream City Milwaukee building that dates back to 1874 is about to get a new life.

Central Standard Craft Distillery is moving in this year.

Right now, Central Standard is located in Walker's Point. But it has reached a deal to buy the old Wisconsin Leather building on East Clybourn Street. That building is vacant now, but it will soon be home to not only the distillery, but an expanded tasting room, restaurant and event space. 

They were running short on space in the old building, and they love their new location.

"We feel a big part of our business is tourism," said Evan Hughes, co-founder of Central Standard Craft Distillery. "And we are -- just from our front door, we can see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, seven hotels. So we're very ideally situated to help entertain our guests when they come and visit Milwaukee."

Hughes calls this location a bridge between downtown and the Third Ward.

The plan is to open the new place by mid-summer.