Ashley and Shawn Beach have been aspiring to start their own business for over two years, a dream that will come to fruition this October with the opening of Illinois’ first Narwhal’s Crafted Frozen Cocktails in Edwardsville. This frozen cocktail bar, known for its variety of creative beverages, will be the fourth location for the brand, and the first to be franchised, operated by the Beaches.
The Edwardsville site will be located within The Station on Main development, an area chosen for its vibrant atmosphere and accessibility to nearby businesses such as Sneaky’s Bar & Burger Joint and Sacred Grounds Café. With a nearly 3,100-square-foot space planned, the design will embody the nautical theme characteristic of other Narwhal’s venues.
Brandon Holzhueter, co-founder of Narwhal’s Crafted, believes the Beaches will thrive in their new venture, reflecting their passion through the cocktails served. Having previously considered another franchise—Scooter’s Coffee—the couple was drawn to Narwhal’s during a date night, where they discovered the potential for franchising.
Once the Beaches contacted Narwhal’s through their website, Holzhueter responded rapidly, leading to the development of this project, which took two and a half years to finalize. While Edwardsville was always the preferred location, securing the ideal site took some time.
The establishment will be family- and dog-friendly, allowing guests under 21 until 7 p.m. while still providing a relaxed environment for all. Although Narwhal’s does not serve food, customers are welcome to bring their own or use delivery services, including collaborations with local restaurants for convenient food options.
Holzhueter envisions the Edwardsville site as a stepping stone for future franchise opportunities while maintaining the brand’s core values. The Beaches are eager to explore further expansions beyond the local area, with the new location being beneficial for both the business and the community.
Narwhal’s Crafted first opened in St. Louis in 2016, and since then, it has become a beloved spot for frozen cocktails. The new Edwardsville address will be 400 N. Main St., Suite A. For more details, visit narwhalscrafted.com.