Florida ’ s The Urban Stillhouse bringing Horse Soldier restaurant experience to Somerset
By Christopher Harris Commonwealth Journal
Horse Soldier Bourbon has galloped into town with plenty of fanfare , with plans for a new distillery and much more located on the southern end of Pulaski County .
But downtown Somerset is going to get a taste of everything the Horse Soldier brand has to offer as well .
In April , it was announced that Horse Soldier has purchased the 5,000-foot former Goldenberg Furniture building on Somerset ’ s Fountain Square , with the goal to transform it into a smart-casual dining and cocktail restaurant in the heart of the community .
SPEDA ( Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority ) said that the restaurant will be modeled after The Urban Stillhouse , in St . Petersburg , Fla . Called “ the company ’ s ultimate Horse Soldier experience in the warehouse arts district of St . Petersburg ,” The Urban Stillhouse is guided by the experienced hand of Meredith Koko — daughter of John Koko , one of the founders of Horse Soldier Bourbon as well as the U . S . Green Berets whose story of going into Afghanistan following 9 / 11 was immortalized in the book and film “ 12 Strong .”
By now , the story of the “ Horse Soldiers ” and their postmilitary service venture into the bourbon business has been well-told . The group of veterans sought something they could do in civilian life , and turned that pursuit and their love of fine spirits into the American Freedom Distillery and Horse Soldier Bourbon brand . In late 2019 , it was announced that Somerset Mayor Alan Keck had convinced the group to locate a distillery here in Pulaski County , with the goal of getting this community on Kentucky ’ s welltraveled “ Bourbon Trail ,” a tourism boon in the Bluegrass State .
The Horse Soldier Bourbon brand has already poured its heart and soul into the local community , with sponsorships involving major local events like the Moonlight Festival and Master Musicians Festival , and in October of 2021 , ground was broken on the $ 200 million Horse Soldier Farms project at the former Waitsboro Golf Course off of Slate Branch Road , which would include not only the distillery but also a planned “ Horse Soldier ” village with dining , shopping , a rotating program of events , festivals , and concerts , community rooms , a chapel , event center , and the American Story Center , which welcomes families to share an adventure based on what were listed as the company ’ s core values — integrity , authenticity , and service .
“ I marvel at the business that my father , stepmother and the entire team has built over at Horse Soldier ,” said Meredith , who owns The Urban Stillhouse . “ They truly are incredible entrepreneurs and trailblazers that literally took a dream and made it reality .”
In Florida , The Urban Stillhouse opened in August of 2020 but was ready to go even earlier , in March 2020 — but that was “ when the world shut down ,” as Meredith put it , referencing the arrival of COVID-19 .
But in true Horse Soldier fashion , they couldn ’ t be stopped from completing their mission , and once The Urban Stillhouse opened , it immediately became a hit among St . Petersburg diners .
“ The Horse Soldier team had always envisioned having a tasting room , like most distilleries , with some small bites and tastings , that was the initial plan ,” said Meredith . “ Once we started the buildout , we realized , not only did we have the space to create something more intricate , but we also had this beautiful design and our community was hungry for something unique and new in the food and beverage space . I have a background in hospitality and my dad , and the rest of the horse soldier team felt confident that it could be a full-blown food and beverage concept so it evolved into what it is today !” Before moving to Florida ,
6 • SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky June 2022