Alcohol vendors make big changes to stay in business during coronavirus crisis

All non-essential businesses are closed or working from home, but liquor stores are deemed essential. So how are these stores, as well as, bars and restaurants making changes to keep serving their communities?

News 12 Staff

Mar 27, 2020, 1:18 PM

Updated 1,492 days ago

Share:

By Alexa Santos, Digital Producer
Restaurants, bars, and many other small businesses have been dealing with major changes to their standard operating procedures amid the coronavirus pandemic. 
On March 16, the governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut announced the closure of all restaurants and bars, except for takeout and delivery orders, in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus. 
As of March 22, all "non-essential" businesses in the tri-state needed to eliminate their in-person workforces. But in all three states, liquor stores have been deemed "essential businesses" that can remain open.
Also, temporary changes in liquor laws gave restaurants and bars the ability to sell alcohol as part of their takeout and delivery menus. 
That means bars, breweries, distilleries, wineries, and liquor stores are working out new ways to do some business during this difficult time. 
Rooftop Reds, a rooftop vineyard in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, has started delivering for the first time since being in business. 
Rooftop Reds is a seasonal venue, that opened for the spring and summer on March 1. Shortly thereafter, they had to close the space due to the coronavirus pandemic. Managing partner Devin Shomaker says 75% of the staff was laid off. 
Getting creative, they decided to start delivering their craft wines as a way to keep the business alive. 
Shomaker says it was a huge relief that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo deemed alcohol as an essential business, allowing for businesses like Rooftop Reds to use deliveries as a lifeline. 
"It's been absolutely vital that we are able to continue doing this outreach delivery service, and have some revenue coming in," Shomaker says. 
Rooftop Reds is delivering to all of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Long Island City. Ideally, Shomaker hopes their home delivery service is popular enough to potentially allow him to hire some of his staff back on to assist. 
Shomaker decided to partner with one of Rooftop Reds' neighbors in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Transmitter Brewing, to bring more variety to their delivery services. 
Transmitter Brewing is a local craft brewery. Cofounder Rob Kolb says it's vitally important that people support their local spots through takeout and delivery options during this time. "If we go out of business, that affects this neighborhood," Kolb said. 
Here is a list of several venues that are open for alcohol pickup and/or delivery in the tri-state area: 
Note: Each day, things are changing, and more businesses may choose to close their doors or alter their delivery & takeout options. You can check with locations directly, if you want to be sure. 
Bronx: 
Manhattan:
Brooklyn: 
Brooklyn Kura (at participating wine & liquor stores) 
Westchester/Hudson Valley:
Long Island: 
Connecticut: 
New Jersey: 
If you are a business that is still open, click here and let us know.
 


More from News 12
1:59
Danbury Hospital employees demand fair contract as rallies continue

Danbury Hospital employees demand fair contract as rallies continue

1:59
Scattered showers overnight for Connecticut; sun returns Sunday afternoon

Scattered showers overnight for Connecticut; sun returns Sunday afternoon

0:21
Stratford PD: Woman wanted on felony robbery warrant considered ‘armed and dangerous’

Stratford PD: Woman wanted on felony robbery warrant considered ‘armed and dangerous’

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:26
Milford FD: Person extricated from rollover crash

Milford FD: Person extricated from rollover crash

0:22
Officials: Norwalk man drove off the road and landed in the Five Mile River in Darien

Officials: Norwalk man drove off the road and landed in the Five Mile River in Darien

0:41
'Walk A Mile in Her Shoes' in Fairfield raises awareness about sexual and domestic violence

'Walk A Mile in Her Shoes' in Fairfield raises awareness about sexual and domestic violence

2:28
Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

1:46
Kids Helping Kids and Person to Person partner to host annual Handled with Care Boutique

Kids Helping Kids and Person to Person partner to host annual Handled with Care Boutique

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

0:24
Orange volunteer firefighters raise thousands to benefit the American Lung Association

Orange volunteer firefighters raise thousands to benefit the American Lung Association

2:37
Video released by CSP shows the moment a Connecticut state trooper is struck by a car on I-95 in Bridgeport

Video released by CSP shows the moment a Connecticut state trooper is struck by a car on I-95 in Bridgeport

2:13
‘Ashes and memories—that’s it.’ Brookfield fire victims get up close look at devastation; donation efforts underway

‘Ashes and memories—that’s it.’ Brookfield fire victims get up close look at devastation; donation efforts underway

1:01
Bridgeport officers rescue man threatening to jump off bridge on I-95

Bridgeport officers rescue man threatening to jump off bridge on I-95

1:46
Kids Helping Kids and Person to Person partner to host annual Handled with Care Boutique

Kids Helping Kids and Person to Person partner to host annual Handled with Care Boutique

0:19
Police: Philadelphia man faces charges for a swatting incident in Norwalk

Police: Philadelphia man faces charges for a swatting incident in Norwalk

1:58
New Haven police preparing for Sunday's pro-Palestinian protest on the Green

New Haven police preparing for Sunday's pro-Palestinian protest on the Green

1:37
Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York

Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York

1:27
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks will light up Bridgeport this weekend

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks will light up Bridgeport this weekend

0:49
Beardsley Zoo celebrates Arbor Day

Beardsley Zoo celebrates Arbor Day