Meredith had a hospitality public relations firm in New York City , where she specialized in high profile restaurants , nightclubs , DJs and craft mixology .
“ Although I didn ’ t have operational experience ( going into The Urban Stillhouse ), the most important thing that I did have was a sense of hospitality ; what a good experience should feel like , taste like , leave the customer with ,” she said . “ I knew what a ‘ good ’ experience should look like for a consumer and I wanted to take that sense of hospitality and use it to showcase my family ’ s bourbon .”
At The Urban Stillhouse , Meredith is “ hands-on ” as an owner , helping manage the restaurant day-to-day , greeting and seating guests , running cocktails and food when it ’ s busy , and even doing tours and telling guests all about the incredible Horse Soldier story . She said she plans to spend as much time in Somerset as possible doing the same thing at the local restaurant , representing the Horse Soldier and Urban Stillhouse brands .
“ Maybe not as much time in the cold winter months ,” she joked , being as Florida tends to be the place to go that time of year , though she ’ s certainly fond of the natural attractions Pulaski County has to offer — “ I do love the lake life ,” she said .
Meredith explained that the bourbon company is separate from the restaurant side , and has its own team and legal aspects of the business , even though they ’ re all part of the Horse Soldier brand and family .
“ I knew that even though I had experience working in hospitality in NYC for years , I would need an A-list team of restaurant professionals to build this thing ,” she said . “ The most challenging part of this process was starting there , the people . Once that was in place , there truly wasn ’ t any obstacle that we couldn ’ t overcome as a team and it ’ s by far exceeded any expectations that us and the Horse Soldier team ever had for it .”
Meredith describes The Urban Stillhouse as “ an experience , not just a restaurant .” The restaurant offers tastings twice a day where they
An artist rendering of the main entrance of the future Somerset location of The Urban Stillhouse , which will be located in the old Goldenberg building .
Submitted 8 • SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky June 2022