Entrepreneur opens distillery

CAPE CORAL — Cape Spirits Inc. recently opened a new facility here to produce liquor such as rum, vodka and whiskey.

The founder and president of Cape Spirits is JoAnn Curtain Elardo, who built a manufacturing, distribution and retail company that owned the rights to sell American shoes in Eastern Europe. She sold that business in 2008 and retired to Cape Coral.

Cape Spirits' first product will be Wicked Dolphin Artisan Rum. In addition, the company will offer products made with rum, such as barbecue sauce and cakes. Later, the firm will make other liquors such as vodka and whiskey.