He was from a small town; She was a big-city girl with a dream. Sounds like the plot of a Hallmark Movie. This real-life version begins in 2015, when Washington, D.C. consultant Jennifer Yang met Drew Cockley. A self-proclaimed “science and whiskey nerd,” Jen had always been fascinated by the distillation process. The two fell in love, and he encouraged her to follow her craft distillery dreams. Together they founded Covalent Spirits in his hometown of Westminster, MD.
The distillery’s name, “Covalent,” means a strong connection between atoms. A strong bond was needed for the trials of renovating and retrofitting a 100-year-old property on Main Street. “The roof leaked, pipes burst. That led to tearing up the subfloor, a massive sewer back-up. I now know way more about pipes than I ever thought I would,” says Yang. “And the roof, an old flat roof, would send sheets of water down the side of the building when it rained, leading to mold and mildew.”
It would take more than just chemistry to get this business on its feet. Yang applied for a BGE Energizing Small Business Grant to help with a building a new roof, procuring pumps, and fixing structural issues. “When the roof got repaired, I think I started to cry. It was so awesome,” says Yang. And now? Covalent Spirits is a gathering place where community can thrive. “We’ve hosted over 300 events, including cultural celebrations, non-profit fundraisers, local government meet-ups, live music, entrepreneurial pitch nights, and more,” Yang says.
“These gatherings, like Lunar New Year festivals, storytelling nights with the Westminster Historical Society, and pop-up markets for small vendors, build connections in real time.” The couple has also mentored local entrepreneurs as they’ve launched their own passion ventures.
