Big hard seltzer brand opens Charlotte warehouse
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The warehouse is in the industrial Nevada Business Park in southwest Charlotte. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios
A growing spiked seltzer company has opened a warehouse near Carowinds to store millions of its colorful cans.
Why it matters: Hard seltzers have surged in popularity, testing the craft beer industry. Now one of the most eye-catching brands, Mighty Swell, has put roots in Charlotte.
Zoom in: Mighty Swell originated in Austin, Texas in 2016 and was acquired last year by Lemonati, a newly formed portfolio company. The shift presented an opportunity to search for a new home base.
- Charlotte is centrally located to Mighty Swells' eastern markets and new owners in New York, CEO Jeana Harrington tells Axios. Plus, all the exports currently go out of Florida, and its proximity cuts the expensive costs of moving heavy palettes.
Driving the news: Lemonati moved into its new 52,000-square-foot Charlotte warehouse in March and celebrated the opening this past Monday, Aug. 5.
By the numbers: Lemonati will store up to $7 million worth of inventory in the building as it scales up.
The intrigue: Its products are in 25 U.S. markets, Puerto Rico and five countries. You can find Mighty Swell boxes on the shelves of Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods.
- "We're very innovative with our packaging," Harrington says. "Each package is kind of like an album."
What's next: Lemonati launched a Mighty Swell spirited line last month, starting with a rum-based drink. The next ready-to-drink cocktail release is an Old Fashioned.
- "We consider ourselves flavor pioneers," Harrington says.
- Lemonati is developing two other non-alcoholic brands, one targeted at adults and one for kids.
