GATLINBURG (AP) — There's a thirst in the mountains for legal Tennessee moonshine.

Sevierville attorney and co-developer of the Ole Smoky Distillery Joe Baker said he and another partner bought the Legends Restaurant on the Gatlinburg downtown parkway and will distill different spirits there.

Additionally, Baker and his original Ole Smoky partners have bought land in the Glades arts and crafts community to open a branch of the original distillery, according to The Mountain Press (http://bit.ly/xl3wWY).

Small distilleries have blossomed since passage of a 2009 statute that allows local county commissions to decide whether to allow them.

Prior to the statute's passage, only Jack Daniel's and George Dickel whiskeys and Prichard's rum were legally produced — all in southern Middle Tennessee.

Ole Smokey Distillery opened in Gatlinburg in 2010.