NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (April 16, 2020) – Firefly Distillery, South Carolina’s oldest working distillery, has started producing hand sanitizer to help meet the demand in the Charleston community. Firefly is producing 180 cases with each run and will start offering the sanitizer to the public beginning Friday, April 17. Half gallons (1.75 liters) will be available for purchase for $25 at the distillery (4201 Spruill Avenue, North Charleston, SC) while supplies last. To ensure even distribution, sales will be first come, first served and limited to one bottle per person.
With a recent move and expansion to its current 25,000 square foot distillery in Park Circle, after 15 years on Wadmalaw Island, the distillery has all the key infrastructure in place to produce hand sanitizer amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We care deeply about those affected by COVID-19 and have been working with the community to help however we can by hosting a blood drive and local food trucks daily,” said Scott Newitt, co-owner of Firefly Distillery. “All the while, we have been hard at work to meet the increasing demand for hand sanitizer with a focus on first responders and the community at large. We are pleased to now be able to offer it starting this week.”
Quickly identifying the need and gap in resources, the local distillery took action to help the community the best way its team knew how—by using its distilling equipment and ramping up production. To execute, the Firefly Distillery team learned the ins-and-outs of permitting, production requirements and Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations. The local distillery ordered ingredients and changed its bottling line from pouring liquor to filling half gallon bottles of hand sanitizer instead.
With such high demand, the distillery sold out of hand sanitizer before the first run was completed. Hospitals, state departments, military and other institutions will be the first to receive Firefly’s hand sanitizer through its office supply distribution partner, FSI. Alcohol production continues in shifts with extra hours added in to produce hand sanitizer.
Firefly will also continue to offer Firefly Spirits purchases from the Airstream out front of the distillery from 12 to 5pm Monday through Saturday. Spirits and mixers are available for purchase with a limit of three bottles per person, per day and patrons will receive 10 percent off when purchasing three bottles of Firefly Spirits.
For more information about Firefly Distillery, visit www.fireflydistillery.com.
About Firefly Distillery
Firefly Distillery is the birthplace of Firefly Spirits. What began as an idea for the world’s first sweet tea vodka has grown into South Carolina’s largest distillery. Outgrowing its flagship location on Wadmalaw Island, Firefly Distillery expanded its operations with its new 25,000 square foot distillery in North Charleston. Keeping with traditions of history and Southern hospitality, the new distillery offers a place to gather for friends, family, corporate events and weddings. Set under the oaks and surrounded by marsh views, the distillery is a destination for locals and visitors alike with live music, food trucks, events and a gift shop. Visitors can experience the distillation process first hand with various tours and tastings and purchase Firefly Spirits including the new small batch bourbon and many other distillery specialties.
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