Community Highlights: Meet Stephanie Elliott of Merle’s

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Elliott.

Hi Stephanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today. 
I started as a sports bartender. I always loved creating new cocktails. About 4 years after I started bartending, I was hired on at my first craft cocktail lounge in Charlotte‘s art District NoDa. This was the first time I’d ever seen anyone put rosemary in a drink. I was hooked! Continue bartending for about 3 more years. After that, I changed careers, moving me from behind the bar. Always still dabbling and creating at home. About 6 years into not actively working as a mixologist. My partners approached me with the concept of Merle’s. It was to be the first of its kind in Wilkesboro. A high-end craft cocktail lounge nestled on Main Street in a historic cottage. I couldn’t help but agree to sign up for this little project. 

A few months after opening, Michael approached me about a Mixology competition. Honestly, that day, I was busy, and I agreed, thinking it was just a local competition. After filling out the application that was sent to me. It came to my attention that this was not only a statewide competition. This was the NCRLA Chef Showdown! The only statewide cocktail competition in North Carolina. I was to be competing against all the head mixologist across NC. I knew of many of these cocktail lounges. And had admired their work for years… I was absolutely panicked! But after a lot of creating competition rounds and stress. I was honored to be named NCRLA mixologist of the year. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting any business and competing in a statewide competition has its struggles. Like finding out after my first round of competition one of the distillers I was using had actually sold and stopped production. Making the product nearly impossible to find. Needing 12 bottles of it to batch out cocktails for 500 guests at the ShowDown. If it wasn’t for a friend of mine randomly having 9 bottles in his private collection, I would not have been able to find what I needed. 

We’ve been impressed with Merle’s, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Merle is a craft cocktail lounge nestled in a historical cottage on Main St., Wilkesboro, NC. We specialize in high-end craft cocktails. 

Made from all-natural fresh ingredients. 

I strive to keep our menu creative, fresh, and fun. 

We are also known for our rare bourbon selection. 53 bottles and growing. 

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Passion for the craft. 

Contact Info:

• Website: Merlesmixtress.com
• Instagram: Merles_mixtress