Story, photos, and video by Lawson Martin.
Evan and Sally Batt opened Lockwood Distilling Co. in 2019. Evan has been in the alcohol business since graduating from Texas A&M University in 2003. Evan has experience in distribution, supply, and manufacturing for both global and local brands. During that time, he discovered his passion lies in nurturing brands and forging meaningful connections between them and consumers.
Sally, the other co-owner of Lockwood Distilling Co., has a diverse background as a kindergarten teacher and a real estate agent.
According to Sally, Evan always dreamed of opening a restaurant, so they decided to open one near where they lived. They found a building for sale that was right next to the soccer field where their children played.
Drawing inspiration from their loved ones, they envisioned a gathering place where guests could savor handcrafted food and drinks with a local touch.
“We wanted to be a place where people could celebrate big and small accomplishments and give back to the community,” Sally says.
The Batts take pride in crafting all their spirits on-site. In addition to their Richardson location, the Batts opened a Ft. Worth location of Lockwood Distilling Co. in 2021.
Sally says she finds great joy in spearheading the distillery’s community service initiatives, focusing on supporting Richardson Independent School District schools and endeavors that enhance the well-being of local families.
The couple wanted to create a way to give back to their community, so they created Cocktail for a Cause. They donate money to a local charity each month in this charitable initiative. They select a new charity to support each month, create a special drink with a cute name, and a percentage of proceeds from that drink sold throughout the month go directly to the charity.
For example, Lockwood Distilling Co. supported their neighbors at The Warren Center in July. This nonprofit provides therapy services for children with developmental disabilities and delays. The cocktail and mocktail they created for the month was called “You Bee-long.” The distillery invites each Cocktail for a Cause charity to host a happy hour, asking supporters to come out, mingle, and try the cocktail.
Lockwood Distilling Co. also does its part in spreading the word about Cocktail for a Cause on their social media and placing a small flier on each table at their distillery. The fliers include information about the drink as well as a QR code to donate directly to the charity.
After the month concluded, Lockwood Distilling Co. donated $554 to The Warren Center. Sally says the distillery donates anywhere from $200 to $700 to a charity during each month’s Cocktail for a Cause.
“We like to find (causes) close to our heart,” Sally says. “I was an educator for seven years, so I have a big heart for kids, schools, and hospitals.”
Sally adds that many Lockwood employees are huge animal lovers, so they love to include any cause that helps animals, too.
“We try to fill up the calendar with a variety of people who need a little extra help,” she says.
In the past, Lockwood has featured and donated to A Graham of Love, the ABLE Foundation, the Be the Difference Foundation, BraveLove, the American Heart Association, and so many more.
“I love it,” Sally says.” “It’s the whole reason why I’m here. I am here for the people and the community, so it means everything to me.”
Lockwood Distilling Co.’s October Cocktail for a Cause charity was the Richardson Humane Society, a nonprofit that has rescued and rehomed more than 2,900 homeless pets since its inception. Since it was October, Lockwood named the drink “Happy Howl-oween” to fit with the charity’s cause.
Stay tuned to see which charity Lockwood Distilling Co. decides to feature next. Click here to learn more about Lockwood Distilling Co.
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