Evan and Sally Batt opened Lockwood Distilling Co. in October as a passion project. They wanted a "Cheers" feel, where everyone knows your name and until the coronavirus pandemic struck the world, that's exactly what they had.
The tasting room and full service restaurant that distills its own alcohol quickly became a neighborhood favorite.
When Texas was put under a stay-at-home order Evan's first concern was his employees.
"We immediately had people come who are normally servers, bartenders and even our line cooks come to start helping us making alcohol," Evan said.
The distillery kept getting calls from people asking about hand sanitizer and Evan realized there was a big shortage.
"We realized there was a call and need for this and if we are one of the sources who is able to do it, we thought it would be crazy not to do it," Evan said.
Within 10 days, Lockwood Distilling Co. was donating thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer to the City of Dallas, Dallas Police Department, Dallas Fire Rescue, churches, several nursing homes and Network Ministries, a Richardson-based food pantry.
"It's been amazing. We've been able to be presented with these opportunities and we're more than happy to accept them," Evan said.
But their goodwill didn't stop there. The distillery held a food drive for Network Ministries, which, like many food pantries, has seen demand skyrocket since the coronavirus pandemic began. Within 3 days, they had so many donations they delivered 4 carloads of food to Network Ministries. The donations kept coming and they made another donation days later.
For Evan and Sally Batt, helping their community is just what they do.
"We're not really trying to make a difference, we just feel like this is the deal. This is what local businesses should do. We wouldn't have it any other way," Evan said.
We're proud to call Evan and Sally Batt and Lockwood Distilling Company this week's KRLD Difference Makers.
If you know someone in the community who is making a difference, send Susy an email at susy.solis@entercom.com.
