Oaklore Distilling Co. of Charlotte, North Carolina, has launched a charitable initiative to support Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Beginning June 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025, for every Oaklore cocktail sold at select participating bars and restaurants in the Charlotte area, the company will donate $5 to the Community Foundation of Henderson County up to $10,000. The American Whiskey brand invites patrons across Charlotte to raise a glass for a cause, knowing that every sip makes a difference.
Participating Charlotte Bars and Restaurants include:
- Catalina Kitchen + Bar @catalinakitchenandbar
- CharBar7 (Matthews) @CharBarNo7
- CharBar7 (Mint Hill) @CharBarNo7
- CharBar7 (Carmel) @CharBarNo7
- Dram & Draught @dramanddraughtclt
- Dressler’s @dresslersrestaurant
- Mac’s Speed Shop (Matthews) @macspeedshop
- Mac’s Speed Shop (Steele Creek) @macspeedshop
- Mac’s Speed Shop (Southend) @macspeedshop
- Mac’s Speed Shop (Lake Norman) @macspeedshop
- Mac’s Speed Shop (Concord) @macspeedshop
- Napa on Providence @napaonprovclt
- O-Ku @okucharlotte
- Oak Steakhouse @oakcharlotte
- Reid’s Fine Foods (Southpark) @reidsfinefoods
- Reid’s Fine Foods (Dilworth) @reidsfinefoods
- Scissors & Scotch @scissorsscotchclt
- Vintage Whiskey & Cigar @thevintageclt
- Yunta @yuntanikkei
This fundraising effort will directly aid in rebuilding communities impacted by the storm, with a special focus on the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock areas – a region that represents a significant part of Oaklore Distilling Co.’s future. The company is currently developing Oaklore Ridge, an 87-acre mountain property in the area, which will feature more than six miles of ATV trails, a collection of premium mini cabins, a communal home built for gathering, and mountain-climate warehousing to age a portion of their barrels of bourbon and rye whiskey.
“We believe great whiskey should bring people together—not just to share a drink, but to lift each other up when it matters most,” says Matt Simpkins, co-founder of Oaklore Distilling Co. “The Lake Lure region is an integral part of our future, and we’re honored to contribute to its recovery and resilience.”
In October 2024, shortly after Hurricane Helene powered through the North Carolina mountain towns of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, Oaklore Distilling Co. was able to raise more than $50,000 with its “Clear the Shelves for Carolina” campaign – donating 200% of the cost of every bottle sold from its distillery retail shop in Charlotte, North Carolina. “That campaign showed us what’s possible when a community rallies around a cause—and good whiskey,” says Simpkins.