PEORIA, Ill. — When Black Band Distillery opened in Peoria’s Warehouse District in 2020, owner Chris Ober didn’t expect a pandemic to hit.
When COVID-19 did hit, Ober started producing hand sanitizer since it was so hard to find at the beginning stages of the pandemic.
“We knew there was a great need to do so,” said Ober. “Through a lot of diligent work, we found the supplies needed to produce [hand sanitizer].
“We produced several thousand gallons.”
Since the distillery was not able to be open due to mitigations, Ober said they could help and be of service to the community.
According to Ober, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau lifted the regulation on distilleries producing hand sanitizers.
“It wasn’t about making money — it was about hopefully covering our expenses,” said Ober. “We were able to sell enough that allowed us to offset the costs and donate quite a bit of sanitizer as well to those most in need.”
Ober said they donated sanitizer to many elderly care homes and other entities that needed donations. In addition, they sold sanitizer to private businesses, departments of correction, and hospital systems around the Peoria area.
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) toured Black Band Distillery Friday, saying she liked to see stories tied in with the pandemic and small business owners.
“This is hard surviving a pandemic and be able to come out on the other side successfully,” said Bustos. “You just have a great appreciation for what small business owners do for our community.”
Bustos credited Ober’s ingenuity in being able to switch from producing whiskey, vodka, and gin to hand sanitizer in order to stay open.
“My goal as a member of Congress is to make sure I understand these stories, and what we need to do to be of help,” said Bustos.
Due to Ober opening just before COVID-19, Black Band Distillery wasn’t eligible for most of the federal funding.
“[Ober] didn’t have the receipts you have to show in order to get that Paycheck Protection Program or emergency money from the CARES Act,” said Bustos. ” My message to the community — more than anything — is to support local businesses.”
Bustos is hosting a webinar Tuesday, April 27 at 10 a.m. for restaurant owners to be informed on what federal assistance they may qualify for.
