Manatawny Still Works in Pottstown has been operational since 2014, but 2020 has been its craziest year by far, writes Lee Stabert for the Keystone Edge.

Stabert interviewed Derek Menaldino, co-owner of the distillery, for the inaugural episode of Keystone Change. This new podcast series aims at talking about the creative ways state businesses and community leaders are connecting with their customers and communities during the pandemic.

Menaldino explained that things were going well for the distillery before the pandemic hit, with both its Pottstown and Philadelphia tasting rooms operational and bottle sales increasing. Sales to restaurants and bars in the region were also going well.

“And then in the March we were shocked like everybody else,” he said.

Since distilleries were considered an essential business, Manatawny was able to continue selling its bottles. But the distillery recorded a huge pivot in its business model, going from in-person sales to e-commerce sales.

That allowed the owners to both continue making spirits and operate the business.

By summer, the regular business was picking up again, but the big changer was the ability to sell cocktails to go, said Menaldino.

“That was huge,” he said.

Listen to the entire podcast at the Keystone Edge by clicking here.