Liquor and wine stores have seen a slight uptick in sales since the more socially-restrictive pandemic measures were enacted, including limits on public gatherings. KLCC’s Brian Bull checked in on a couple local establishments.
Otto Deurloo-Willard-Woods of Cork and Bottle Shoppe Liquor says currently, their sales are about average.
“But last week was pretty busy, we were seeing numbers that were close to what we see around Christmas and New Years," says Deurloo-Willard-Woods. "So quite a bit above average for March. But after they put the stay-at-home order out, we’ve dropped off significantly.”
Specialty liquors and cocktail ingredients are selling well, as many people can’t hit bars for a while.
Meanwhile, Angus James of Broadway Wine Merchants is juggling solo, as his eight-person staff is off during the pandemic.
“We have a really loyal clientele that loves the people who work here and are really trying to support us by purchasing their wine from us," says James.
"We do curbside pickup, we do delivery, they’re trying to help me sell enough wine to get on the other side of this, and hire all those people back.”
The U.S. Small Business Administration has economic injury disaster loans for affected businesses.Applications are online.
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