Jen and Andy Schmunk (right) fill containers of home-brewed hand sanitizer outside their South Railway distillery and pub on Thursday. (CHAT News photo)

By Alex McCuaig

Grit City Hand Sanitizer

Grit City Distillery stepping up to get Hatters hand sanitizer

Mar 22, 2020 | 9:49 AM

MEDICINE HAT – It’s been a stressing week for Hatters as the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic has increasingly put residents in positions they aren’t accustom to. But that has also triggered greater appreciation of local businesses who have responded to the call to help their community.

Grit City Distillery is just one of a plethora of Medicine Hat small businesses which have stepped up to ensure those in the city get the supplies they need and the essential fresh food products they require. But few operations have totally upended their production like Grit City.

“There goes my gin batch,”said co-owner Jen Schmunk, as the decision to covert another cycle of production from the spirit to hand sanitizer was made.

That was on Thursday.

Since then, Grit City is continuing to provide the hand sanitizer free to the public, tinged green from the aloe vera gel donated by residents.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

17h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

Jen, along with husband and co-owner Andy Schmunk, have set up a station outside their Tap Room pub, providing about an ounce or two of the hand sanitizer to anyone with a bottle to fill, advising those to use it with a spray nozzle to get the most out of the amount.

“And when you run out, come back for more,” Andy was telling those stopping by to pick up the product.

Andy says the reason Grit City made the decision to convert its production from spirits to hand sanitizer was simple.

“We feel that us giving back to Medicine Hat – who has been great to us ever since we opened two years ago – that was something that was on the top of our list,” said Andy.

Grit City was at the tip of the spear of distilleries across the province and country in converting their operation and rolling out hand sanitizer.

“I’ve been told there are places in Toronto, another place in Calgary doing this as well. We’re inspired by people like that and we’re passing that on to our own city,” said Andy.

Jen said people are understandably worried but, “you can see how appreciative they are even with the little bit we can provide.”

As of late Saturday they plan to keep going and are inviting first responders to contact them if they are in need of hand sanitizer.