With River Roots’ drink in hand, Chef Michael Symon pours over plans with River Roots co-founder and operations director Tom Gray for River Roots Barrel Co. Whiskey Bar and Brewery, to be located on Columbus Road in Cleveland’s Flats (Instagram @ChefSimon). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
Columbus Road site gets Metroparks boost
Celebrity chef Michael Symon announced he is partnering with a local, new-start whiskey distiller in its planned move to Cleveland’s Flats. NEOtrans reported nearly a year ago that River Roots Barrel Company was making a move to the Columbus Road peninsula along the Cuyahoga River.
But what’s new, other than the three-year old distillery, is Symon’s involvement in it. His investment in the project will expand it from a liquor bottling and barrel storage operation to a bar with food and, of course, liquid refreshment.
“It’s going to be HUGE! I can’t wait for you all to see,” Symon wrote on Instagram, posted yesterday. Symon is also the owner of the barbecue restaurant Mabel’s BBQ on East 4th Street, downtown.
River Roots Barrel Co. Whiskey Bar and Brewery will be located at 1826 Columbus Rd., a 121-year-old, single-level building leased from Columbus Street Partners Inc. River Roots was founded by CEO Ryan Lintz and Operations Director Tom Gray.
“River Roots is a venture that I am extremely proud to be part of,” Symon said in a written statement. “As a true whiskey lover, I can attest that our team does an incredible job at curating a top notch selection of spirits that will blow you away.”
River Roots Barrel Co. Whiskey Bar and Brewery’s site is shown by NEOtrans on this map because of all of the major investments planned and underway by the Cleveland Metroparks near River Roots’ new location (Metroparks).
The surrounding area is a target of major investments by the Cleveland Metroparks in Rivergate and Canal Basin parks plus with private-sector partners Ceres + LaPine Development LLC in repurposing the historic Cleveland Milling Co. into a hotel, restaurants and other commercial uses.
Last year, NEOtrans noted that River Roots planned a buildout of the 6,087-square-foot space on Columbus Road for “liquor bottling and barrel storage with limited on-site sales to the public,” wrote John Reyes of Star Builders of Amherst in Lorain County in a city permit application.
Renovations and site build-out were estimated last year at $585,000. The expanded development will likely come with an expanded cost, the details for which are not yet publicly available.
No construction permit applications for restaurant facilities and installations have been submitted to the city yet. However, a food service license was issued by the city in June 2025 to River Roots Barrel Company at the Columbus Road address.
“Whether you’re crafting a cocktail, looking to find a perfect pairing with your meal, or just drinking it straight, the River Roots whiskey selection won’t disappoint,” Symon added.
The home of River Roots Barrel Co. Whiskey Bar and Brewery is planned to be located in the brick building at right. The Columbus Road lift bridge over the Cuyahoga River is seen in the background (Google).
The Columbus Road site will be a big step up from River Roots’ current location — a storage unit at a climate-controlled self-storage facility, Triskett Road Storage, at 3236 W. 121st St. in Cleveland’s Jefferson neighborhood.
River Roots sells its whiskeys, bourbons and ryes through west-side retailers like Warren Village Beverage in Cleveland, Simone’s Beverage & Deli in Lakewood and Minotti’s Wine Shop in Rocky River, according to the Ohio Division of Liquor Control.
River Roots is joining Cleveland Whiskey in the Flats. Cleveland Whiskey opened two years ago in the Flats South section, at 601 Stones Levee Rd. — next to the under-construction Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center.
Cleveland Whiskey is also alongside a site where Bedrock plans to build a 6,200-seat amphitheater. Tom Lix, CEO of Cleveland Whiskey, said he is planning to add a restaurant to his distillery and tasting room.
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