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Natalie Spinosa (left) and Anna Windham (right) are sisters and managing partners. | Photo by WStoday

It’s National Small Business Week. One of Winston-Salem’s small businesses is also a family business. Sisters Anna Windham and Natalie Spinosa are carrying on their father’s vision for Broad Branch Distillery.

All in the family

Their dad, John Fragakis, and his longtime friend Nick Doumas spent years planning the business venture. In 2014, their dream came true and they opened the doors to Broad Branch Distillery in the Twin City. Doumas died in 2016. The following year, Windham and Spinosa got the call to come home to Winston-Salem and help with operations part time.

“If you asked me 10 years ago, I never imagined I would be running a distillery. Anna and I were fortunate to work with our father and understand his vision for Broad Branch. We will work to continue his legacy,” Spinosa said.

When Fragakis’s health forced him to step away a few years ago, his daughters stepped up to lead day-to-day operations full time. Spinosa’s background in sales and marketing + Windham’s previous work in finance were perfectly suited for the job.

Bottles of dark liquor in rows sitting on counter. The background is a tasting room. — Talk about and taste Broad Branch creations in the tasting room.
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Photo by WStoday

They now lead the company’s five full-time and four part-time employees. Windham says they continue to learn something new every day and their father’s influence is visible in everything they do.

“Dad never took the easy route on anything — something we learned growing up. He believed in hard work, honesty, not following trends or cutting corners, which we believe is evident in our spirits,” Windham said.

Tastes worth savoring

Those spirits have earned multiple awards and gotten national recognition. The sisters remain committed to using high-quality goods from local and regional producers. The distillery mashes and ferments its grains and sugars on site to make bourbon, whiskey, and rum.

You can see the process in action during a distillery tour at the facility at 756 N. Trade St. They are held the first Saturday every month at 2 p.m. and cost $15. The adjoining cocktail lounge serves sips Wednesday through Sunday. You can also stop into the tasting room seven days a week to pick up a bottle.

Asked

What do you love most about small businesses in Winston-Salem?

A. They have unique products I can’t find anywhere else
B. I like keeping my money local by supporting my neighbors + friends
C. I can visit brick-and-mortar locations
D. They treat their customers like more than a sale

Your reason for shopping small

Events

Tuesday, April 30

“A Photographic Journey of Winston-Salem as Told Through the Eyes of Her Elders” | Tuesday, April 30 | 12 p.m. | Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness, 114 W. 30th St., Winston-Salem | Free | See the final day of the photography exhibit featuring work of older adults.
Champions League Watch Party | Tuesday, April 30 | 3-6 p.m. | Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Co., 772 Trade St., Winston-Salem | Free | Experience the ultimate clash of European football royalty and watch Bayern Munich face Real Madrid.
Produce Safety Tips for the Garden | Tuesday, April 30 | 5:30-7 p.m. | The Enterprise Conference and Event Center, 1922 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Winston-Salem | Free, RSVP | Learn the ABC’s of keeping garden produce safe and healthy.

Wednesday, May 1

Singles Night | Wednesday, May 1 | 7-9:30 p.m. | The Playground Golf and Sports Bar, 6355 Jessie Ln., Clemmons | Free entry | Grab a drink, meet new people, and spark conversations with icebreaker question cards — for adults 21+.

Thursday, May 2

Sunset Salutations | Thursday, May 2 | 6-7 p.m. | Bailey Park, 445 Patterson Ave., Winston-Salem | Free | Remember to bring a yoga mat and arrive early to sign a waiver if it’s your first time at this free community yoga class.

Friday, May 3

Plant Sale | Friday, May 3 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Arboretum at Tanglewood Park, 4201 Manor House Cir., Clemmons | Cost of purchase | Bring cash or checks to shop for herbaceous perennials, flowering shrubs and trees, and more at this two-day sale.

Events calendar here

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Giveaway

Give your skin a win with The VISTA’s Spring Skin Giveaway

A graphic with three people standing in the Forsyth office on the right.

Medical aestheticians Gina + Kinsley are here to assess your skin needs and bring out the glow from within. | Image by 6AM City

Spring is in full swing, and sunny season is right around the corner, so now’s the time to glow-up your skin and make sure it’s summer-ready.

That’s why we’ve partnered with The VISTA at Forsyth Plastic Surgery to host a $200+ Spring Skin Giveaway. One lucky winner will win:

A complete beauty consult with a licensed medical aesthetician at The VISTA
A $200 personalized beauty basket with products tailored to their skin-specific needs

Ready to win? Head to our WStoday Instagram account, click on the giveaway post, and follow the instructions to enter. The giveaway closes on Monday, May 13 at noon + our lucky winner will be announced on Wednesday, May 15.

Enter to win

News Notes

Biz

Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. and the Winston-Salem Alliance are merging to streamline economic and workforce efforts in Forsyth County. The chamber of commerce will take over the Alliance’s many projects and responsibilities, including lobbying for a passenger rail route in the Twin City.

Civic

Cast your vote early or find your polling place for the second primary election on Tuesday, May 14. Registered Republican voters + unaffiliated voters who did not vote in the March 14 primary, or who voted a Republican ballot, are eligible to decide the candidates for Lieutenant Governor and Auditor.

Sports

The Carolina Thunderbirds are still soaring. The team has made it into the FPHL Commissioner’s Cup championship series. Cheer them on in the finals against the Binghamton Black Bears this Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena. (Winston-Salem Journal)

Ranked

64. That’s where Young Cardinal Cafe and Co. ranks on Yelp’s 2024 list of Top 100 Brunch Spots, based on customer reviews. The restaurant at 424 4th St. NW is open Tuesday to Sunday — it’s on our list of 23 top brunch restaurants to try in the Twin City, too.

Biz

You’ll notice some changes at Krankies Coffee. The cafe on East 3rd Street will offer a limited menu during normal hours while making some upgrades to its bar, packaging, and menu. Staff hopes the changes will better serve customers when they’re unveiled on Wednesday, May 8.

History

The Historic Resources Commission will consider nominating two RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. buildings to the National Register of Historic Places tomorrow, May 1. You can weigh in during the meeting at 4 p.m. at the Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building (100 E. 1st St.).

Announced

If you missed Southern Charm at the Farm this past weekend, don’t worry. Organizers will hold the next event on Sept. 28 at Tanglewood Park. Vendor applications are open through July 4.

Wellness

Learn tools for recovery at a free Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) workshop next month. The Forsyth County Stepping Up Initiative Peer Support Specialists will host workshops on May 13 + May 14 at the Central Library. Registration is required — sign up before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8.

Show

Award-winning comedian + bestselling author Trevor Noah takes the stage tonight for the last Face to Face event of the season. There’s still time to grab tickets — secure your spot.*

Festival

Mark your calendars. This year’s Spoleto Festival USA, happening May 22-June 9 in picturesque Charleston, SC, will feature world-renowned talent like Yo-Yo Ma, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Jason Isbell. See the full schedule + snag tickets.*

Pets

Change a life fur-ever

Mercury (left) and Moe (right) have been waiting for their families the longest at Forsyth County Animal Shelter. | Photo courtesy of Forsyth County County Animal Shelter

Today, April 30 is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day. Here are facilities in Winston-Salem that work to find animals forever homes.

Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation (AARF) of Winston-Salem, 302 Thurston St. | Adoption fairs are Saturdays when you can meet dogs 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and cats 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | You must live within 45 minutes of AARF to be eligible to adopt. Cat adoption fees are $125. Dog adoption fees are $200-$250.
Forsyth County Animal Shelter, 5570 Sturmer Park Circle | Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m.-1 p.m. + 2 p.m.-5 p.m. (adoptions end a half-hour before closing) | Adoption fees for cats and dogs are currently $75.
Forsyth Humane Society, 4881 Country Club Rd. | Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. + 2 p.m.-6 p.m. (adoptions end a half-hour before closing) | Cat adoption fees are $50-$125. Dogs and puppies are $75-$225. Veterans and older adults receive discounts.

Can’t adopt? Ask about fostering, volunteering, or consider donating money or supplies.

The Buy

A lightweight spring jacket that won’t overheat you during transitional spring months. We’re loving every floral pattern of this women’s quilted jacket and the cut of this men’s cotton bomber jacket.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambridge

From the editor

I had the chance to taste Broad Branch’s Sungrazer rum right out of the barrel during my distillery tour and it was delicious. There’s also a Sungrazer Chai Spiced Rum that the distillery collaborated with Chad’s Chai to create. If you’re interested in being the first to taste Broad Branch’s new products, consider joining their Big Winston Whiskey Club.

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