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| New Yorkers Want Cheap Wine, and Lots of It | New Yorkers Want Cheap Wine, and Lots of It |
| (8 days later) | |
| Since New Yorkers were told to stay inside, Amanda Shy and her husband, Matthew McCurdy, both actors, have altered the way they make purchases from their local liquor store, Whiskey and Wine. First, they no longer go twice a week; they shop there every day. Second, they no longer visit the store in person. | Since New Yorkers were told to stay inside, Amanda Shy and her husband, Matthew McCurdy, both actors, have altered the way they make purchases from their local liquor store, Whiskey and Wine. First, they no longer go twice a week; they shop there every day. Second, they no longer visit the store in person. |
| Every afternoon, Ms. Shy goes online, picks out a red wine, and then adds on to her order two mini bottles of vodka and tequila, the kind you would get on an airplane, in order to make cocktails for the couple’s evening Zoom chats. | Every afternoon, Ms. Shy goes online, picks out a red wine, and then adds on to her order two mini bottles of vodka and tequila, the kind you would get on an airplane, in order to make cocktails for the couple’s evening Zoom chats. |
| “We live on the top floor of a fifth-floor walk up,” Ms. Shy said. “The delivery guy, who wears a mask, comes to the door, sets the bottle on the counter, which is right by our kitchen sink, and leaves,” she continued. “We then put the bottle in the sink and disinfect it. There’s no touching anyone, no slip of paper we need to sign. It’s super easy.” | “We live on the top floor of a fifth-floor walk up,” Ms. Shy said. “The delivery guy, who wears a mask, comes to the door, sets the bottle on the counter, which is right by our kitchen sink, and leaves,” she continued. “We then put the bottle in the sink and disinfect it. There’s no touching anyone, no slip of paper we need to sign. It’s super easy.” |
| The couple also tips graciously: $7 each time, in honor of the 7 p.m. cheer for front-line workers. | The couple also tips graciously: $7 each time, in honor of the 7 p.m. cheer for front-line workers. |
| “We thought it was a nice thing to do,” she said. “We wanted to acknowledge everyone who’s doing their part.” | “We thought it was a nice thing to do,” she said. “We wanted to acknowledge everyone who’s doing their part.” |
| For New Yorkers who imbibe, this is a pretty typical existence these days. And liquor stores, deemed essential businesses, have pivoted to cater to this new normal. | For New Yorkers who imbibe, this is a pretty typical existence these days. And liquor stores, deemed essential businesses, have pivoted to cater to this new normal. |
| On Manhattan’s Upper East Side, there are more than 12 liquor stores within a 10-block radius. Here’s how several of them have adjusted to doing business during the coronavirus outbreak. | On Manhattan’s Upper East Side, there are more than 12 liquor stores within a 10-block radius. Here’s how several of them have adjusted to doing business during the coronavirus outbreak. |
| Dr. Wine70th Street and First Avenue212-861-9463 | Dr. Wine70th Street and First Avenue212-861-9463 |
| Customers enter Dr. Wine two at a time, six feet apart. For those waiting outside, a sign reads, “Please stand here to maintain social distancing.” | Customers enter Dr. Wine two at a time, six feet apart. For those waiting outside, a sign reads, “Please stand here to maintain social distancing.” |
| Dr. Wine has seen a 70 percent increase in sales, and some changes in what and how much is being bought. | Dr. Wine has seen a 70 percent increase in sales, and some changes in what and how much is being bought. |
| “People are buying more hard liquor, especially vodka because some customers believe it kills the virus,” Chandra Loknauth, a saleswoman, said. “People are buying more than what they need. Before they bought one or two bottles. Now it’s four or a case. They’re afraid we will close, and then what will they do? They’re coming in more often, too.” | “People are buying more hard liquor, especially vodka because some customers believe it kills the virus,” Chandra Loknauth, a saleswoman, said. “People are buying more than what they need. Before they bought one or two bottles. Now it’s four or a case. They’re afraid we will close, and then what will they do? They’re coming in more often, too.” |
| Deliveries have shot up to 70 a day from 20, said Ms. Loknauth, who often does them herself. “I’ll do drop-offs on foot or sometimes in the car, because we’ve cut down on staff.” | Deliveries have shot up to 70 a day from 20, said Ms. Loknauth, who often does them herself. “I’ll do drop-offs on foot or sometimes in the car, because we’ve cut down on staff.” |
| McCabes Wines & Spirits77th Street and 3rd Avenue212-737-0790 | McCabes Wines & Spirits77th Street and 3rd Avenue212-737-0790 |
| The two windows at McCabes are bursting with bottles. Categorized by price, about 150 are on display so customers — who are not allowed inside — can make selections from the sidewalk. | The two windows at McCabes are bursting with bottles. Categorized by price, about 150 are on display so customers — who are not allowed inside — can make selections from the sidewalk. |
| “We normally have around 30 bottles in the windows, but we wanted to give customers a good shopping experience,” said Courtney Klukow, one of three managers still working at the store. “The way it’s set up now, we can talk to each other at the entrance to the store and they can tell us what they want. If someone has placed an order, we take their name and hand them the bag. Others call us while they’re standing outside.” | “We normally have around 30 bottles in the windows, but we wanted to give customers a good shopping experience,” said Courtney Klukow, one of three managers still working at the store. “The way it’s set up now, we can talk to each other at the entrance to the store and they can tell us what they want. If someone has placed an order, we take their name and hand them the bag. Others call us while they’re standing outside.” |
| Cash is no longer accepted. Gloved employees open and close the shop’s door to take credit-card payments and hand over purchases. | Cash is no longer accepted. Gloved employees open and close the shop’s door to take credit-card payments and hand over purchases. |
| Ms. Klukow said her customers, like those at Dr. Wine, are buying cases instead of a bottle or two. | Ms. Klukow said her customers, like those at Dr. Wine, are buying cases instead of a bottle or two. |
| “The liter isn’t cutting it for some, so they’re buying magnums,” she said. “In the beginning there was panic, so people were stocking up. Now people understand this is becoming a way of life.” | “The liter isn’t cutting it for some, so they’re buying magnums,” she said. “In the beginning there was panic, so people were stocking up. Now people understand this is becoming a way of life.” |
| Sherry-Lehmann Wine & Spirits Merchants59th Street and Park Avenue212-838-7500 | Sherry-Lehmann Wine & Spirits Merchants59th Street and Park Avenue212-838-7500 |
| Up to 200 customers used to walk this renowned store’s aisles every day. Now, only about 10 dare to go inside, said Chris Adams, the chief executive and a partner at Sherry-Lehmann. A sign on the door states, “If you’re not feeling well, please stay out.” Hand sanitizer is abundant. | Up to 200 customers used to walk this renowned store’s aisles every day. Now, only about 10 dare to go inside, said Chris Adams, the chief executive and a partner at Sherry-Lehmann. A sign on the door states, “If you’re not feeling well, please stay out.” Hand sanitizer is abundant. |
| Updated August 12, 2020 | |
| “I’m in a state of disbelief,” Mr. Adams said. “What’s happening is eerie and unsettling.” | “I’m in a state of disbelief,” Mr. Adams said. “What’s happening is eerie and unsettling.” |
| Customers are buying more, he said, but spending less on their purchases. In March, the store saw a 20 percent increase in bottle sales over March 2019. | Customers are buying more, he said, but spending less on their purchases. In March, the store saw a 20 percent increase in bottle sales over March 2019. |
| “That’s a sizable amount for us; that’s thousands of bottles,” Mr. Adams said. “But revenue is down because they are buying less expensive bottles,” he continued. “We saw this in 2008. People are not going out for dinner, they’re not getting a drink or two at their neighborhood bar. So, they’re buying wine.” | “That’s a sizable amount for us; that’s thousands of bottles,” Mr. Adams said. “But revenue is down because they are buying less expensive bottles,” he continued. “We saw this in 2008. People are not going out for dinner, they’re not getting a drink or two at their neighborhood bar. So, they’re buying wine.” |
| One of Sherry-Lehmann’s biggest sellers is the Unsung Heroes of Bordeaux 2019 Sampler, a case of French reds priced at nearly $160. In March 2019, the store sold 100 of the Unsung cases; last month, 300 were sold. | One of Sherry-Lehmann’s biggest sellers is the Unsung Heroes of Bordeaux 2019 Sampler, a case of French reds priced at nearly $160. In March 2019, the store sold 100 of the Unsung cases; last month, 300 were sold. |
| Not surprisingly, Champagne has taken the biggest hit — what’s to celebrate? The store, which once sold 35 cases daily, now only moves only about five. | Not surprisingly, Champagne has taken the biggest hit — what’s to celebrate? The store, which once sold 35 cases daily, now only moves only about five. |
| Whiskey and Wine69th Street and Second Avenue212-585-0005 | Whiskey and Wine69th Street and Second Avenue212-585-0005 |
| At Whiskey and Wine, the married actors’ liquor store of choice, the last round of deliveries takes place at 8:45 p.m. But people call long after the shop closes at 9. They also stand outside, asking to buy bottles from the street. | At Whiskey and Wine, the married actors’ liquor store of choice, the last round of deliveries takes place at 8:45 p.m. But people call long after the shop closes at 9. They also stand outside, asking to buy bottles from the street. |
| “We don’t really encourage that,” said Juan Quintero, a partner in the business. “We’ve decided to do deliveries only, but people keep coming. They get upset if I don’t open the door.” | “We don’t really encourage that,” said Juan Quintero, a partner in the business. “We’ve decided to do deliveries only, but people keep coming. They get upset if I don’t open the door.” |
| Mr. Quintero has increased the store’s delivery people to three from two because deliveries have shot up to almost 70, from about 15 a day previously. Before the outbreak, the store had healthy foot traffic; with a few suggestions from Mr. Quintero, customers brought their selections to the register. | Mr. Quintero has increased the store’s delivery people to three from two because deliveries have shot up to almost 70, from about 15 a day previously. Before the outbreak, the store had healthy foot traffic; with a few suggestions from Mr. Quintero, customers brought their selections to the register. |
| “I’m the only one here now,” he said. “I have to pull the bottles from the shelves or go downstairs and get them from the case. Entering all their information takes time, so does the scanning and logging. And people have a lot of questions.” | “I’m the only one here now,” he said. “I have to pull the bottles from the shelves or go downstairs and get them from the case. Entering all their information takes time, so does the scanning and logging. And people have a lot of questions.” |
| Mr. Quintero has noticed a change in the quantity, not the quality, of the wines being purchased. | Mr. Quintero has noticed a change in the quantity, not the quality, of the wines being purchased. |
| “People are buying more, but cheaper and commercial stuff,” he said. “They’re not willing to take a risk and try something different right now. | “People are buying more, but cheaper and commercial stuff,” he said. “They’re not willing to take a risk and try something different right now. |
| “Rather than spend $30, they’re spending $12 on a bottle. They’re worried they’re not earning as much, and some aren’t working.” | “Rather than spend $30, they’re spending $12 on a bottle. They’re worried they’re not earning as much, and some aren’t working.” |
| He has also seen a surprising increase in giving bottles as presents. Mr. Quintero said that before the city virtually shut down, he wrapped one or two bottles a day and wrote “happy birthday” on accompanying cards. Now, he wraps about 15 a day and the cards address the stay-at-home order. | He has also seen a surprising increase in giving bottles as presents. Mr. Quintero said that before the city virtually shut down, he wrapped one or two bottles a day and wrote “happy birthday” on accompanying cards. Now, he wraps about 15 a day and the cards address the stay-at-home order. |
| “People are sending them to make other people feel better,” he said. “They say, ‘Hope you’re getting through the quarantine.’” | “People are sending them to make other people feel better,” he said. “They say, ‘Hope you’re getting through the quarantine.’” |
| New Yorkers might be buying more, but they should also pay attention to whether they are drinking more, said Dr. Yasmin Hurd, director of the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital and a professor of psychiatry. “This is a vulnerable time for people with addiction problems, and those who don’t have one,” she said. “You have to take a look at that second, third and fourth glass of wine and be equally vigilant.” Dr. Hurd suggested that liquor stores put up signs that offer hotline numbers, substance-abuse programs and suggestions on where to get help. | New Yorkers might be buying more, but they should also pay attention to whether they are drinking more, said Dr. Yasmin Hurd, director of the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital and a professor of psychiatry. “This is a vulnerable time for people with addiction problems, and those who don’t have one,” she said. “You have to take a look at that second, third and fourth glass of wine and be equally vigilant.” Dr. Hurd suggested that liquor stores put up signs that offer hotline numbers, substance-abuse programs and suggestions on where to get help. |