BEDFORD, PA — Dead Man Walking Spirits, a new distillery that will focus on spirits made
from locally sourced ingredients, is opening in the Fat Jimmy’s Outfitters building on 109
Railroad Street in Bedford in 2023. The micro-distillery is joining Fat Jimmy’s Outfitters, the
go-to destination for cycling and fitness sales and service, along with Bedford’s first-ever
brewery, Olde Bedford Brewing Company. It’s a synergy of outdoor adventure and libations
that promise to serve up community, great discussions, and most of all, fun!
Lifelong Bedford resident Gregg Feaster is the founder of Dead Man Walking Spirits. He
says that the area is a mecca for outdoor adventures like trail riding, hiking and camping.
And outdoor adventure, he says, is even better with a great drink. “They go hand in hand.
When you are hiking or biking or skiing, a drink is a reward. You can head out to a view or
vista and then hang out with your friends while having a drink.”
His new venture will make the synergy between outdoor fun and drinks even better. In
2023, Dead Man Walking Spirits will be setting up shop inside Fat Jimmy’s. Within the large
building, visitors can learn more about hops and brewing from Dave Heller and Joe Black at
Olde Bedford Brewing, pick up a cocktail made from old fashioned, traditional recipes, and
then walk over to check out a new bike for trail riding.
Feaster says that he had help launching his dream. He worked with Jen Marsh, Vice
President of the Bedford County Development Association and a Startup Business Coach
for Startup Alleghenies, a regional program that helps entrepreneurs navigate starting their
business. “Jen Marsh is an amazing person to work with and a great contact for anyone
who is interested in becoming an entrepreneur,” Feaster said. “She is always extremely
responsive to my questions and helpful with business planning.”
He said that the free business coaching offered through Startup Alleghenies gave Dead
Man Walking Spirits the boost that it needed. “Startup Alleghenies was instrumental in
helping the new venture financially and provided opportunities to meet various contacts to
assist in many aspects of this startup,” he said.
“It’s been such a pleasure to help Gregg launch Dead Man Walking Spirits,” Marsh said. “The
collaboration of all three companies in one space is exciting for our community.”
Jim Fungaroli, owner of Fat Jimmy’s says that bringing Dead Man Walking Spirits into the
plaza is a big plus for visitors. “Coming here isn’t about closing a sale — it’s about being
active. We are selling a lifestyle. People can come here and spend hours learning more
about the outdoors, about brewing and distilling.”
“It’s the ultimate customer experience,” Dave Heller of Olde Bedford Brewing Company
added. “Take your beer and go shop — you can look at bikes or head next door to browse
at Wholesome Living. People come from Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and tell us that
they’ve never seen anything like this — it’s fantastic. Now, we get to provide this experience
and add in someone else who has a passion for his craft. Walking into the building for the
first time, you’ll be overwhelmed with the great fun in front of you.”
Dead Man Walking Spirits plans to capitalize on its name, featuring skulls on their shot
glasses and a nod to zombies, skeletons and holidays like the Day of the Dead. “We are all
going to pass away someday and are just dead men/women walking. It’s a reminder to
have fun and make the most out of every day we have.”
In addition to Jen Marsh and the Startup Alleghenies team, the Saint Francis University
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) was key in business planning and financial
projections. “Jeff Boldizar helped me to determine growth and create attainable goals,”
Feaster said.
Among the goals that he’s set are plans for live music, food and fundraising events for local
businesses. “The location is so prime and there is a lot of opportunity for both indoor and
outdoor events. We are really looking forward to seeing what’s next.”
Dave Heller agrees. “Here, there’s no fence around what we want to do.”