The distributor has not been finalized yet. Might be one of the usual players like Mouser, etc. Any suggestions?
Yeah, a full reel is spendy. I personally only want like 50 or so. Soldering a few at a time by hand isn't too bad. Most of the folks who have expressed interest are shops who are producing products in commercial quantities...likely with solder stencils, pick & place machines, and reflow ovens. 
-Pete