Entering the field of distilled spirits was exciting for Maury and Melissa Allen.

The owners of Six Mile Ordinary say they were attracted to the industry five years ago, eager to take on the opportunity to create high quality products at a reasonable price. But there’s much more to it than that.“Ultimately, for us, the attraction to the distilled spirits industry lies in the ability to combine creativity, passion, manual get-your-hands-dirty labor and business acumen to produce a product that brings joy and pleasure to consumers,” Maury Allen says.

Operating a distillery allows the Allens the chance to hone new skills, while connecting with the community through tastings and tours. And the business is growing, with distribution in six states already.

It’s incredibly satisfying for Maury and Melissa Allen, who recall the anxiety felt when the first 8,000-gallon tank being delivered. “It was so big it required a crane,”Maury Allen says. “I remember thinking, ‘There’s no going back now.’”

SIX MILE ORDINARY | 700 FAY ST., COLUMBIA MO573-554-1662 | SIXMILEORDINARY.COM