OUR STORY
THE STORY OF END OF DAYS DISTILLERY
A LEGACY OF CRAFT, CHARACTER, AND CAROLINA GRIT
A DREAM DISTILLED
End of Days Distillery began, as many great stories do, with a spark — a love for craft brewing and distilling, a garage full of experiments, and a dream too big to ignore. Shane Faulkner, co-founder alongside his wife Beth, had long been drawn to the art of spirits. After years of homebrewing and tinkering, a visit to Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail cemented the vision: to create something meaningful and enduring in Wilmington, North Carolina — a city brimming with creativity, appreciation for craft, and untapped potential in the spirits space.
That dream took shape inside a 1947 Quonset hut in a neglected corner of town — a building with history in its bones and just enough space to hold a vision. Shane saw what it could become: a distillery built on ultra-premium quality, integrity, and the power of meaningful moments. Beth, his steadfast partner for over 29 years, stood by him as they turned that shell of a building into a destination — not just for great spirits, but for great stories.
WHY "END OF DAYS"
The name “End of Days” isn’t about finality. It’s about reflection. It’s about the moments in life that make us pause, to take stock, to connect, to savor. Born around a campfire with whiskey in hand and stories in the air, the name represents the people you share a glass with, the quiet wins and lessons, and the memories that mark a life well lived.
In April 2019, the Faulkners and friends bought the building. By February 1st, 2020, End of Days Distillery opened its doors. Just six weeks later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit — halting operations overnight. But giving up wasn’t an option. Shane quickly pivoted to producing hand sanitizer, distributing it for free to the Wilmington community and selling it to businesses to stay afloat. With no government aid, the distillery survived because of hustle, heart, and sheer youtubedetermination (YouTube-Determination).
That grit is part of our DNA. From hand-painting trim to bottling the very first batch of spirits, every milestone was earned. At our grand opening, we expected a few dozen people. Over 2,000 showed up. The mayor cut the ribbon. We were overwhelmed, under-prepared, and absolutely sure we were on to something special.
BUILT ON GUMPTION & GRIT
In April 2019, the Faulkners and friends bought the building. By February 1st, 2020, End of Days Distillery opened its doors. Just six weeks later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit — halting operations overnight. But giving up wasn’t an option. Shane quickly pivoted to producing hand sanitizer, distributing it for free to the Wilmington community and selling it to businesses to stay afloat. With no government aid, the distillery survived because of hustle, heart, and sheer youtubedetermination (YouTube-Determination).
That grit is part of our DNA. From hand-painting trim to bottling the very first batch of spirits, every milestone was earned. At our grand opening, we expected a few dozen people. Over 2,000 showed up. The mayor cut the ribbon. We were overwhelmed, under-prepared, and absolutely sure we were on to something special.
BUILT ON GUMPTION & GRIT
In April 2019, the Faulkners and friends bought the building. By February 1st, 2020, End of Days Distillery opened its doors. Just six weeks later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit — halting operations overnight. But giving up wasn’t an option. Shane quickly pivoted to producing hand sanitizer, distributing it for free to the Wilmington community and selling it to businesses to stay afloat. With no government aid, the distillery survived because of hustle, heart, and sheer youtubedetermination (YouTube-Determination).
That grit is part of our DNA. From hand-painting trim to bottling the very first batch of spirits, every milestone was earned. At our grand opening, we expected a few dozen people. Over 2,000 showed up. The mayor cut the ribbon. We were overwhelmed, under-prepared, and absolutely sure we were on to something special.
BUILT ON GUMPTION & GRIT
In April 2019, the Faulkners and friends bought the building. By February 1st, 2020, End of Days Distillery opened its doors. Just six weeks later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit — halting operations overnight. But giving up wasn’t an option. Shane quickly pivoted to producing hand sanitizer, distributing it for free to the Wilmington community and selling it to businesses to stay afloat. With no government aid, the distillery survived because of hustle, heart, and sheer youtubedetermination (YouTube-Determination).
That grit is part of our DNA. From hand-painting trim to bottling the very first batch of spirits, every milestone was earned. At our grand opening, we expected a few dozen people. Over 2,000 showed up. The mayor cut the ribbon. We were overwhelmed, under-prepared, and absolutely sure we were on to something special.
CRAFT MEETS CHARACTER
From day one, End of Days set out to redefine what North Carolina spirits could be. Every bottle starts with quality ingredients — locally sourced whenever possible. Our grains come from Riverbend Malt House in Asheville. Our spent grains go to Farmer Ray in Burgaw. We make our own mixers and liqueurs, never cutting corners with additives or artificial flavors.
We honor pre-prohibition ideals: bold flavors, strong character, and craft without compromise. At the same time, we embrace innovation — from state-of-the-art equipment to pioneering cask finishes and ready-to-drink cocktails. The result is a lineup of award-winning spirits, each one a testament to patience, precision, and passion.
THE DISTILLERY: A WILMINGTON LANDMARK
End of Days is housed in a restored Quonset hut that once stored surplus steel and later served as a radiator shop, woodshop, and antique store. Today, it stands proudly in Wilmington’s Cargo District — a vibrant, revitalized neighborhood known for its eclectic mix of local businesses, shipping container architecture, good eats, and creative spaces. The district has become a hub for innovation, community, and craft, making it the perfect home for our distillery.
The building’s original charm has been preserved with a few creative additions, like our shipping container hallway and boiler room, nodding to the industrial roots of the district. It’s not just a building. It’s a character in our story — one that reflects both Wilmington’s history and its future.
THE LOUNGE: SPIRIT MEETS SOUL
When laws changed in 2019, allowing distilleries to serve cocktails, The Lounge was born. Today, it’s the beating heart of End of Days — our premier craft cocktail bar and the epicenter of the EOD experience. It’s where the art of mixology meets the craftsmanship of our ultra-premium spirits, all distilled in-house.
Step into The Lounge and indulge in the ultimate cocktail experience. Each drink is expertly crafted with bold flavors, house-made liqueurs and mixers, and a relentless dedication to quality. Whether you’re a connoisseur of classics or craving something adventurous, our innovative and ever-evolving menu has something to delight every palate.
Signature cocktails like the Brown Butter Old Fashioned, Cantina Verde, and the award-winning Hurricane bring our spirits to life in unforgettable ways. Our expert mixologists guide guests through a journey of taste and texture, making every visit a decadent exploration of craft, comfort, and creativity.
In 2024 and 2025, The Lounge was proudly recognized as Wilmington’s Best Cocktails by Wilmington’s Best Magazine — a testament to the creativity, consistency, and care poured into every glass.
More than a bar, The Lounge is a space where strangers become friends, stories are shared, and every sip is a celebration of what we stand for: artistry, authenticity, and the joy of great company.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE EOD PRODUCTION TEAM
WHERE CRAFT GETS ITS HANDS DIRTY
No two days in production are ever the same—and that’s exactly what keeps it exciting. One day, the smell of cooked corn fills the air as we mash grain; the next, fermenting rum bubbles like it’s got weekend plans. There are early mornings, late afternoons, and a lot of moments in between where things get real. Real loud. Real hands-on. Real satisfying.
From pressure-washing and sanitizing tanks to filling barrels or firing up the stills, every job matters. There’s the science: dialing in fermentation, checking proofs, tasting spirits. There’s the grind: lifting, labeling, loading, even cleaning up wayward grain. Some days you’re a distiller, other days a forklift operator or a troubleshooting mechanic. All days, you’re part of the reason a batch goes from grain to greatness.
When spirits are ready, we shift to bottling and canning — lining up labels, prepping cases, and building pallets for distribution. It’s not glamorous, but it’s ours. It’s fast-paced, unpredictable, and yeah, sometimes sticky — but always rewarding. At the end of every day, we leave knowing we helped turn raw ingredients into something people savor, celebrate, and come back for. That’s what makes it worth it.
FROM WILMINGTON TO THE WORLD
Our journey began at home — selling a single bottle at a time from our merch room. Today, you’ll find End of Days spirits in bars, restaurants, and stores across North Carolina and beyond. We now ship direct to consumer in 45+ states, distribute in SC, FL, and MT, and even export to Europe.
Collaborations with iconic brands like the Carolina Hurricanes and Ford Shelby help amplify our reach while staying rooted in authenticity. Every new account, every award, every cocktail made with our spirits is a step toward our mission: to become a respected, recognizable brand without ever losing our soul.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE POUR
Our team culture is built on five values: Service, Innovation, Teamwork, Integrity, and Happiness. We hire for personality first — because great spirits come from great people. Whether it’s the production crew, bartenders, designers, or leadership, we all wear many hats and share one mission: to create something we’re proud of, together.
It’s been one of our greatest honors to work alongside so many incredible team members — past and present — who’ve helped shape End of Days into what it is today. The family-like environment we’ve built inspires creativity, hard work, and genuine connection. It’s not just a team; it’s a community that uplifts one another and finds joy in the craft.
We’ve also been fortunate to collaborate with talented partners like Matt Ebbing and his team at Creature Theory (branding), Matt Ray Photography, and other incredible creatives who’ve helped shape our visual and storytelling identity.
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SPIRITS
End of Days is deeply involved in legislative advocacy. We work closely with the Distillers Association of North Carolina to push for fair laws that support craft distilleries. From embracing innovative distribution methods to expanding RTD cocktail access, we’ve stayed ahead of the curve and aren’t slowing down.
Our vision for the future is bold: expanded distribution, deeper partnerships, continued innovation — all while staying grounded in who we are.
OUR LEGACY
What we’re building isn’t just a distillery. It’s a legacy. One of grit, growth, and great spirits. A brand that doesn’t chase trends, but creates timeless quality. A team that puts people first. And a space that feels like home, whether you’re a first-time visitor or part of the EOD family.
BECAUSE AT END OF DAYS, WE BELIEVE IN CRAFTING MOMENTS WORTH REMEMBERING.
If you made it to the end, thanks for reading our story!
