How Weldon Mills Distillery Turned RV Parking Into $340K+ in Revenue

A Historic Location with Big Ambitions

Nestled in a historic corn mill on the banks of the Roanoke River in North Carolina, Weldon Mills Distillery is known for its award-winning bourbon and warm hospitality. But like many small businesses, the team wanted to find new ways to grow beyond their local community.

That’s when they discovered Harvest Hosts.

Hosting That Just Made Sense

Harvest Hosts is a unique RV membership program that connects over 250,000 travelers with small businesses like farms, wineries, breweries, and distilleries across North America. For hosts, it’s a cost-free way to:

• Drive new foot traffic
• Generate meaningful revenue
• Build brand visibility among loyal, supportive travelers

“When Members come, they spend money,” said Shannon Godwin, Director of Hospitality. “We’re usually selling at least one bottle, but they’re also getting a couple cocktails and doing a tour and tasting. Their minimum spend is $85 to $100 per visit.”

Easy Setup, Big Results

Getting started was quick and simple. With help from the Harvest Hosts team, Weldon Mills created a host profile featuring:

• Photos of the property
• Parking details and availability
• On-site offerings and experiences

Just two days after setting up their profile, the first guests rolled in.

“It was almost instantaneous,” shared General Manager Brianna Neville. “Then we just blew up. Everything just fit. It was kind of meant to be, in a way.”

Turning Stays Into Sales

Since joining in 2020, Weldon Mills has hosted more than 4,400 RV stays, with guests spending an average of $85–$100 per visit. That’s $340,000–$400,000 in additional revenue — simply by opening their parking lot.

And the benefits don’t stop at sales. Guests consistently leave glowing reviews and share their experiences with other travelers, turning Weldon Mills into a must-visit stop on the Harvest Hosts map.

“When you’re a small business, it’s hard to reach those outside of your community. When you’re part of the Harvest Hosts network, you’re on the app. You’re findable,” Godwin said.

Why It Works

• Free to join — no hosting fees or hidden costs
• Flexible — you decide when to accept guests
• High-value guests — Members are respectful, generous, and eager to support local businesses

A Word-of-Mouth Powerhouse

Weldon Mills has seen firsthand how Harvest Hosts Members help grow their reputation far beyond their small town.

“We really strive to give a good impression to our customers and to make sure they have a good experience,” Godwin said. “It spreads with reviews, but also in conversations. It feeds on itself.”

Ready to Turn Your Parking Lot Into Revenue?

If your distillery, brewery, or small business has unused space and wants to bring in new customers, Harvest Hosts makes it easy to start.

Learn more at harvesthosts.com/hosts or email listings@harvesthosts.com to get started.