Pacific Coast Spirits and Hand Sanitizer
Pacific Coast Spirits, located in Oceanside, opened in December 2019 and is offering more than just great food in their farm-to-table restaurant, and their famous small batches of craft-distilled vodka, gin, bourbon, brandy, and whiskey.
Hand sanitizer. Hmm, now that seems like rather an unlikely combination.
But master distiller and owner Nicholas Hammond clearly has the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity in these challenging times. While the restaurant and distillery are open for take-out only - just place your order online, pick a time for your curb-side pick-up, and pay with a credit card – Hammond has found a creative way to help the community and keep business going, by making hand sanitizer, something that is tough to find these days.
San Diego County ordered all restaurants and bars to close on March 17th, just days before the Shelter in place order came from the Governor statewide. A really tough spot to be in for any business.
There was a great article about Pacific Coast Spirits in the latest Coast News, and I called and talked with the owner today to check on availability of his sanitizer, and then placed an order online.
Hammond’s sanitizer is made of 80% alcohol (the CDC recommendation for sanitizers you make is to use over 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol) along with glycerine, hydrogen peroxide and purified water.
Pacific Coast Spirits offers their sanitizer for $60 in a 25-oz glass bottle (750 ml). Small plastic spray bottles, if available, are $5.
A big bottle offers plenty to share with others who may need it, if you can find plastic spray bottles – I hear they are in short supply.
What a wonderful thing to be doing for the community, and no doubt a help for his business. Of course returning to normal operations is the big hope, and to be able to get everyone back to work. Hammond has started a Staff Go Fund Me campaign to raise funds for his employees who, while able to collect some unemployment, will miss out on their tips. And there are plenty of restaurant workers in the same situation.
If you are local, why not order some food, and your sanitizer, and pick it up at the parking lot. Staff is of course observing social distancing and wearing gloves.
You can bet, once this is over, I’ll be in to dine. It looked like a very cool place. And I'de be pretty interested in tasting their vodka and whiskey.
Pacific Coast Spirits is currently open 11 – 7 Monday through Sunday but hours and services might vary due to the coronavirus. Check online or give them a call at (760) 453-7150 before heading out to be sure.
404 S. Coast Highway
Oceanside, CA 92054
