How a metal shop inspired Wille’s Tin Shop, Long Beach’s newest distillery

The iconic Wille's Tin Shop in Signal Hill may have closed in 2015 after 109 years, but a new business with the same name is honoring that legacy with its own new venture — a distillery.

Wille's Tin Shop pays homage to the renowned metal shop's history of craftsmanship at the 1000-square-foot distillery in California Heights, which opened on Dec. 5.

"Wille's was about craftsmanship and that's what they’re doing here…they’re doing the spirits with craftsmanship and integrity," said Debbie King, the metal shop's last owner as she stood inside the distillery on opening day looking around at the vintage artifacts that decorate the the new place.

Master distiller Forrest Cokely serves up samples of Long Beach Water vodka at Wille's Tin Shop in Long Beach on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Guests at Wille's Tin Shop distillery in Long Beach enter through a speakeasy type entrance on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Debbie King, who owned the original Willie's Tin Shop provided the name and items to the new Willie's Tin Shop distillery in Long Beach on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Long Beach Water vodka is served up at Wille's Tin Shop distillery in Long Beach on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Wille's Tin Shop owner Robert Molina next to large distilling kettles on opening day in Long Beach on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Master distiller Forrest Cokely minds the bar at Wille's Tin Shop in Long Beach on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

A copper still sits on a table inside Wille's Tin Shop distillery in Long Beach on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Master distiller Forrest Cokely serves up Long Beach Water vodka at Wille's Tin Shop in Long Beach on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Guests enjoy some vodka at Wille's Tin Shop distillery in Long Beach on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Long Beach's latest distillery poured its first vodka on Repeal Day, the day that celebrates the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. Owner Robert Molina plans to later create craft rum, brandy and whiskey in the distillery's copper stills using locally sourced ingredients.

Original signs provided by King hang inside the distillery as well as a few other original items, like a tin barrel where old rags were kept and a dolly used at the shop add to the vintage feel. Edison bulbs hang above a vintage bar that was once part of a soda fountain shop in Long Beach.

"This is all Long Beach stuff that really adds to the classic ambience…and we were inspired by the craftsmanship (of the original metal shop) and we’re turning that into what we do now," said Molina, who opened the new distillery behind Roxanne's Lounge, his cocktail bar and restaurant.

Another original sign hangs outside a door facing the street, but it's going to take a little more effort to get into Wille's Tin Shop than just going through the front door, but that's all part of the experience.

To visit, people need to make an appointment, then bypass the door under the sign that faces the street and instead head for the alley behind Roxanne's where they’ll see a brown door next to a roll-down metal gate.

Just knock, and if you’re on the list, you’re in.

While Wille's is an appealing space, it's not a spot where you can just show up, pull up a stool and down a few shots. Since this is primarily a working distillery Molina can only offer a free 1.5-ounce tasting for customers who want to see a working distillery.

"It's an experience. We really want people to understand the process, how we come up with recipes, what we’re doing," Molina said.

And if one zip of vodka isn't enough, don't worry because you can buy bottles to take home and all of the spirits will be served at Roxanne's Lounge and its hidden speakeasy as well as other local bars and several retail locations.

If you go

Where: 1115 E. Wardlow Road, Long Beach

Admission: Free, but you must be 21 and reservations are required.

Information: 562-668-7439, willestinshop.com

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