Red Oak Biscuits team will open Moonshine on Washington Avenue

The team behind Red Oak Biscuits, located at 1330 Washington Ave., will debut a new concept right across the street. Owner Derek Schulze said he plans to open Moonshine, a distillery, bar and restaurant at 1325 Washington Ave. in December. Schulze said demo recently wrapped up on the Moonshine space and construction will commence soon.

“I like to develop an area by providing services, and I think this area around City Museum is stunning,” Schulze said.  

As the name implies, Schulze said the restaurant will distill its own moonshine and create cocktails with it. Food-wise, the plan is to provide Southern fare made with ingredients sourced from area farms. Schulze said he intends to distribute Moonshine’s spirits in the future, as well sell bottles onsite.

The concept will be more fine dining than the casual Red Oak Biscuits with speakeasy flair. “The aim is to capitalize on the era of the building, the 1880s and 1890s,” Schulze said.

Moonshine’s size depends on the future of Red Oak Biscuits. “We need a bigger kitchen and better equipment to keep up with demand, especially on the weekends,” Schulze said. He plans to either expand the current space or move the operation across the street to share the building with Moonshine.

Either way, Schulze said to look for a bigger Red Oak menu and longer hours in the future, along with grab-and-go options for area office workers and museumgoers. Like Moonshine, Schulze said he’d like to eventually distribute Red Oak products as well.

Matt Sorrell is staff writer at Sauce Magazine.