RESOLUTION NO. 230480

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Sponsor(s):  Councilmembers Eric Bunch and Teresa Loar

RESOLUTION - Honoring Andy Rieger for his commitment to Kansas City.

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WHEREAS, Andy Rieger is the Co-founder and President of J. Rieger & Co. and oversees the operations, finances, and strategic direction; and

WHEREAS, the J. Rieger & Co. distillery was established in 1887 by Jacob Rieger, Andy’s great-great-great-grandfather, and continued operating until Prohibition caused it to shutter.  It wasn’t until 95 years later when he and Ryan Maybee decided to revive the distillery; and

WHEREAS, J. Rieger & Co.’s spirits are highly regarded across America and in multiple countries, bringing a focus to the quality that comes out of Kansas City; and

WHEREAS, J. Rieger & Co.’s home on Kansas City’s eastside, located in the historic Electric Park district, represents a $25 million investment and created 100 jobs in Kansas City by renovating a 48,000-sf historic structure, building a 4,000-sf historic exhibit, producing a history video on Kansas City for tour guests, and making Kansas City’s history a fun topic for all; and

WHEREAS, J. Rieger & Co. converted their operations to produce hand sanitizer during the COVID pandemic in order to ensure Kansas City’s hospitals, first responders, government services, and general businesses could remain open by producing the virus-busting hand sanitizer; and

WHEREAS, their most recent addition is a quarter-acre garden bar called Electric Park, a nod to Kansas City’s first amusement park that stood near the distillery from 1899-1906 and offered ideas that were eventually borrowed when the Disney theme parks were conceptualized; and

WHEREAS, J. Rieger & Co. contributes to the Kansas City community by sponsoring Restaurant Week, hosting civic and community meetings, donating to hundreds of non-profit organizations each year, and hosting large fundraising events; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby honor Andy Rieger and the entire J. Rieger & Co. team for their commitment to Kansas City as an exemplary model organization; and

                     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Andy Rieger with the appreciation of the Mayor and Council for his outstanding commitment to Kansas City.

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