New winery opens store next to train wreck

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN) — It’s been a month and a half since the devastating East Palestine train derailment, and after years of operation, a small business has reopened its doors less than a quarter mile from the crash site.

Ashley and Mike McKim officially opened their Taggart Street establishment Friday night after years of working away from home. On Saturday, McKim’s Honeyvine & Winery held a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“We’ve been doing this for about seven years now, we started from our house making small batches,” said Ashley McKim.

The McKims spent about two years working and renovating the Taggart Street business. They say the crash hasn’t delayed their work and they’re glad to be open.

“The community has been phenomenal,” said Mike McKim. “We’ve been through a lot in the last month and a half, but we’re coming together.”

The McKims have heard concerns from local residents, but say they use bottled water for all of their products and are conducting independent water tests that have shown promise.

“In the meantime, we only used bottled water for our products, bottle washing and everything else, so we were very, very careful about that,” said Mike McKim.

“Our fall wines and our Christmas wines are when we start making them, so we’re going to feel around a bit and see if everyone agrees that we’re moving on and starting to make again,” said Ashley McKim.

Running this business with three young children has not been easy, but they are grateful for the support of the community.

“Only we can take care of us, so we have to move forward,” said Mike McKim. “We have to be positive.”

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