The need for hand sanitizer among health officials and the community at large may be met soon, but not by Purell or other national companies.
The Trolley House Distillery at 502 South Commercial was starting its very first run of alcoholic beverages this month when COVID-19 changed the game plan. Here’s owner Josh Williams:
Williams says the production of the two alcohol-based products is completely different. Flavored moonshines, for example, need to finish at around 35 percent alcohol. Sanitizer, meanwhile, needs to be about 98 percent alcohol so it has to go through the still several times before it’s ready for additional production by adding hydrogen peroxide and glycerol. Williams has also had to rapidly set up a supply chain for bottles and labels.
Williams’ plan is to supply local health offices and professionals first — starting as soon as this weekend — and keep them supplied before having the sanitizer available for the general public.
Trolley House is also in contact with the state government to make sure it can ship the sanitizer elsewhere.
The current goal is to make at least 640 bottles per day.
Williams thanked Air Conditioning Specialists owner Casey Crist and his parents, longtime Williams Automotive owners Rex and Debbie Williams, for helping with the rapid change in direction.
