Lemons to lemonade Patio29 Spirits to hand sanitizer

Back to Made in  U.S.A. 2020 - In 2012, I started Made in the U.S.A. 2012. For 12 months, I bought only Made in the U.S.A. or recycled (second hand) products. Well almost. Some things simply can't be bought secondhand or in the U.S.A. We all know this truth. Anyway, my search and dedication brought some amazing products to my attention. Interesting to look back to see how many of these local and/or small companies are still flourishing. Of course, in this most insane time of "corona" those that were still on the front lines, may soon and sadly be a thing of the past. Unless, of course, we continue to reach out and support their efforts.

When all is said and done, we must change how we live and spend in the U.S.A. This crisis will bring about new manufacturing and creative products out of simple necessity. And, again, when all is said and done we cannot or should not abandon these amazing Americans who have risen above the insanity to makes our lives better and safe!

So today I begin again and commit to Made in the U.S.A. (aka Meet Your Maker) by sharing the first of what I hope are many inspirational stories. If there's a product or company you want to share, please send me the information.

Just two weeks ago we were exploring the wilds of Visit Yolo - much of this included small local businesses. We met and enjoyed an afternoon with the Boone family at the recently opened Patio29 Spirits Company Distillery. We tasted a wide range of products and came away with a bottle of their fabulous Yolo County Craft Vodka. Even then, the jokes were flying about using it to sanitize your hands. The magnitude of Covid-19 hadn't yet hit home.

Fast forward two weeks: March 28, 2020.
Like millions of others, we are "sheltered in place" and watching life unfold through social media. This morning an amazing post from Patio29 Spirits Company brought a smile and an "a-ha moment" to my morning routine! Yes, necessity is the mother of invention! Here's what was posted:

"Patio29 Spirits & Sanitizer Co.! Temporary name… Starting tomorrow we will have 4 oz hand sanitizer (80% ethanol) available for $5, limited to one per person. This hand sanitizer will be available a couple ways:

1. Receive one 4 oz sanitizer free with any purchase of Patio29 Spirits: Call us at (530) 794-6174 to place your order for curbside pickup or delivery. See graphic for details. FYI, we have 3 NEW Harmon’s Hot Pix Flavored Whiskeys available: Black Cherry, Mint Julep, and Lemon Maple!

2. If you are only interested in sanitizer, you can purchase it directly from our tasting room for exact cash only (we are doing this for a couple reasons, the main one being we want to minimize transaction times, and get you in and out as fast as possible). 11am-1pm will be reserved for at-risk individuals, and 1pm-3pm will be open for everyone. See graphic for details.

3. If you are an essential business, medical field or first-responder looking for large quantity sanitizer please reach out to us via email or phone. You are our top priority, and we want to make sure you and your workers are safe and healthy while you remain open.

Thank you to everyone for your continuous support. This is new territory for all of us, and we’re thankful we have a rock-solid community to keep us up. For the time being we’re going to keep busy making sanitizer. We’ll be ready for a drink once everything returns to normal. Cheers to good health!"

 

I was on the  phone with Eric Boone before day's end. The hand sanitizer was the whole family's idea. However, it started with a craft distillery in Seattle. "We saw a story about a distillery doing it there. Regulations prevented us from making the sanitizers but guidelines were loosened and now we can make this for anyone who needs it. As soon as got the green light, we put our spirits aside  - and started making sanitizer." said Eric.

 

He went on to say that this is a group effort and was discussed with the American Distillers Institute. A simple formula, the FDA provided a recipe that follows with what the World Health Organization supports. Patio29 Sanitizer uses neutral grain spirits, a denaturing agent, tea tree oil, glycerine, reverse osmosis purified water and ultra-sound gel. 

 

FYI - the tasting room is closed but Patio29 Spirits Company is providing curbside pick-ups.