The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A prominent Bahamian distillery and tourist attraction yesterday said it was "overjoyed" to have re-opened last week after being closed for nine months due to COVID-19 and associated restrictions.

Pepin Argamasilla, John Watling's Distillery's managing partner, told Tribune Business that the resumption of business operations had been akin to seeing family members following a long absence.

"Last weekend was a trial run and we didn't promote the site wanting to go through a test run. We actually were surprised to welcome some tourists who are staying at an Airbnb as well as many locals," he added.

“They all come for our almost famous John Watling’s Pina Colada. Sales were not like they were before the pandemic, but we understand this is going to be a build. It's like starting the company all over again. This week we have been active on social media and look forward to welcoming guests.”

The distillery reopened on February 4, and has resumed regular services including hand-crafted cocktails and fresh conch salad. Mr Argamasilla said: “Before the pandemic, our workers were already accustomed to washing their hands on a regular basis. In addition to washing their hands, they love using hand sanitizer.

"When the pandemic hit we made sure they were fully stocked with hand sanitizer at home. The main thing that has changed for them is wearing a face mask, but they understand that the well-being of our customers comes first.

“We want to get back to crafting our premium products. While we are still selling our hand sanitizer it is not our main focus. What we have done is partnered with other hand sanitizer companies to provide them with alcohol at 96 percent strength. This is proving to be a great business.”

Further measures taken by John Watling's include the hiring of a “full-time cleaning person” who has sole responsibility for keeping customer areas clean. “Our preparation is constant. We clean, clean, and when we think it is clean, we clean it again. You can never be too careful. As for our washrooms, these are cleaned every two hours," Mr Argamasilla added.

All customers are required to wear face masks upon entry to the premises and are sprayed with the Beuna Vista hand sanitizer. Besides the re-opening last week, John Watling’s is adding a Conch stand that will serve various forms of conch salad, particularly a traditional salad spiked with their “pale rum.”

The distillery, located at the Buena Vista Estate on Delancy Street between Augusta and West Street, produces more than 20 Bahamian hand-craft award-winning rums, Red Turtle pink-sand-filtered vodka, and Gun Cay Bahamian aged rums.