STATE OF THINGS: STATESVILLE STAKES A CLAIM AT ONE OF THE STATE'S BUSIEST INTERSECTIONS.

• Author: Mims, Bryan
• Position: TOWN SQUARE: Statesville

Statesville has logged a lot of P.R. mileage from its spot at the intersection of two interstates, a dizzying display of bulldozing, demolition and red-clay canyons. A massive overhaul of the I-40 and I-77 interchange, along with several adjoining exits, has been digging away since 2012.

More than a century ago, Statesville was the transportation nexus for more than 450 distilleries shipping spirits across the Carolinas and beyond, earning it the moniker of "liquor capital of the world." In the 1880s, makers of whiskey took their booze to Statesville, the westernmost point for train service.

As a tribute to the area's liquor heritage, Southern Distilling Co. opened to the public last spring in a modern, glassy building just off I-77. Surrounded by a 20-acre farm, the distillery produces bourbon and rye whiskey and fruit brandies. "Bourbon is our core product," says Pete Barger, who owns the distillery with his wife, Vienna. The couple had long wanted to run a family business, and after "a ton of research," they decided against a winery and went for liquor, seeing greater potential for growth. They've poured $5 million into the venture and expect to sell 60,000 bottles by the end of their first year in operation. The target for year five is 250,000 bottles of aged product, which would make Southern Distilling one of the largest distilleries in the Southeast.

North Carolina had 61 permitted distilleries as of Dec. 1, a number that could grow thanks to federal tax reform proposing a tax break for craft distillers and brewers. In fiscal 2017, more than 77 million bottles of liquor were sold in the Tar Heel state, but less than 0.5% were N.C. products. The state's craft distilleries received a boost this summer when state lawmakers passed the so-called "brunch bill," increasing the number of bottles from one to five that may be sold to customers on-site.

Southern Distilling plans to siphon off interstate traffic for daily tours and, hopefully, sales. "What started six years ago has really come to fruition in the past year," says Barger, an Iredell County native and former engineer who met his wife at college in northern California. "The real growth is international, so there are a lot of opportunities for us as we look to export markets." The Bargers work with local farmers to provide the wheat and corn that inspire every utterance of "cheers!" in the tasting room.

At another high-profile crossroads in Statesville, this one at Broad and Center...