Today we’d like to introduce you to D.J. Riemer.
D.J., we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been in the beverage industry, specifically restaurants, for 20 years. I began making some of my own cocktail ingredients behind the bar because I couldn’t find the quality I was looking for. A number of people commented that they’d love to see some of my stuff available for purchase.
In response, I started Grove Street Alchemy to curate a collection of higher quality, local cocktail ingredients. I thought I could make some things better, and people responded! I started this project with bartending tip money and it continues to be self-funded. I have an amazing group of people close to me, willing to help, and a diehard group of supporters for Grove Street’s products. We are now in nearly 200 locations across Colorado from cantinas, to hotels, to liquor stores and event spaces. I owe much of its success to my infinitely patient partner, Allison, my friends, and the many amazing service industry folk who support Grove Street (a little good fortune was in there too.)
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Like most other things in life, it’s been a mix. I consider myself a lifelong learner. I’ve run restaurants and resorts from a director, lead, and shift management positions, but never taken on the entirety of a business myself. It’s been a considerable amount of baptism by fire. I’ve relied pretty heavily on my humility and my fellow beverage industry friends to push through the mistakes I’ve made in service to learning.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We’re most proud of our adherence to quality. Our line of handmade, boutique liqueurs are considered the best of their kind. We’re best known for our orange liqueur and its ability to instantly better margaritas. We’ve expanded to 4 other products that are fast becoming local favorites.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I’ve had so many people instrumental in Grove Street’s success, it’s a challenge to list them all. At the top of the list is my amazing partner, Allison for her endless patience. The many early adopters of Grove Street provided a much-needed boost to my own personal enthusiasm. Restaurant supporters such as Santo and McDevitt Taco Supply in Boulder have been diehard supporters since the early days. My many friends in the distillery industry have been patient counsel as I’ve built the business: from Jason and Sayde at Still Cellars (whom I owe everything to for their willingness to collaborate on the project from day one) to the current owner of the distillery Mike Root at Copper Sky, to the amazing team at Dry Land Distillers, who’ve helped me with so much valuable tutelage over the last several years. The many people who contribute to product development and physical production make all this possible, as well – Ali at Coit Collective, Josh, Wendy, Taylor, and Kate.
Contact Info:
- Email: thealchemist@grovestreetalchemy.com
- Website: www.grovestreetalchemy.com
- Instagram: @grovestreetalchemy
Image Credits
Western Pine Photography
