Mother, daughter duo launch petition to expand alcohol sales in Rusk County

Averie Klonowski
·2 min read

HENDERSON, Texas (KETK) – On Monday, Rusk County and Henderson community leaders held a conference at the Henderson Civic Center to discuss the launch of a petition expanding alcohol sales in Precinct Five.

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A Rusk County mother and daughter duo are hoping to get local support to open their new business, Piney Woods Distillery.

“So, we aren’t going from dry to wet. We are going from wet to wetter. It will allow for the sale of actual bottles of liquor, our liquor in particular,” said Barbara Speed, Piney Woods Distillery, Founder and Manager.

Mom and daughter entrepreneurs, Barbara Speed and Jessica Hickerson shared that it all started with the creation of their perfect dessert. Speed explained how they have been able to master several peach recipes at their Rodgers Peach Orchard and they felt inspired to try it out in the spirits industry.

“We said you know if we could bottle our peach cobbler recipe, we wouldd really have something unique and then it just kind of spiraled from there,” said Speed.

Now it’s up to the Rusk County Precinct Five voters to support their business. “60 days is what we have to get roughly 1,500 signatures then the referendum will be on the November ballot,” said Speed.

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Only voters who live in Rusk County Precinct Five will have a say in whether they sign the petition.

“They’re a quality family that’s trying to do right and do something beneficial to the community,” said Chase Sharp, Mason Gibson Incorporated, Vice President.

On Monday, a handful of Henderson business and community leaders showed their support at the conference. “Distilleries are popping up all over the state. People love to make a day trip or even some overnight trips. So, I think you’ll see more tourism, Henderson is a great little town,” said Sharp.

If signatures are confirmed by Rusk County Commissioners Court in time, Precinct Five voters make their decision on November’s ballot.

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