As we grapple with the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, there are some comforts humans reach for. Beer, wine and spirits top the list for many folks. Some retailers report sales are steady or surging, and some are seeing an uptick in requests for deliveries.
Harris Polakoff, who opened Pogo’s Wine & Spirits (now in University Park) right after the crash of 1987, has lived through two wars, 9/11 and a recession.
“They aren’t afraid to buy,” he says of customers. “Across the board, no panic buying, not like the Great Recession.” The global economic meltdown that started in 2008 had more of a panic vibe, he says. Now is different.
At Bar & Garden, a natural-wine-and-spirits boutique, sales are up. Way up. Julie Buckner Lane, who leads the team at this store in East Dallas’ Bryan Place neighborhood, has noticed a “surge, but we will be canceling tastings per the city’s recommendations.”
“Walk-in client numbers are consistent with before, and there doesn't seem to be much fear of contracting COVID-19,” says Dan Fredman, general manager of Biagio Wine & Spirits in Dallas’ Victory Park.
“In terms of prevention, we’ve changed our Square screen to not require anything from the client other than inserting their card ― no fingertip signature or pressing any codes or buttons,” he says. “The staff uses hand sanitizer regularly, hot water hand-washing, et cetera, to minimize our potential exposure.”
It’s “not a surge exactly,” says Fredman, “but delivery orders are increasing both in overall numbers of orders as well as the amount of spirits/wine people are buying in each order.”
And if you are reluctant to venture out, there are ways to get deliveries.
Biagio will deliver (minimum purchase $20, which is like a bottle of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio) in a 7-mile radius (for a $5 fee) through their Biagio App, through Drizly, or by phone.
At 38 & Vine, a self-serve wine bar in Fort Worth’s Foundry District, they’re also set up to deliver goods to your doorstep. Owner Sam Demel says he’s seeing a boost in delivery orders and expects more in the days to come “if you want to stay at home and beat the crowds.”
“The ones that already went and got their stuff [toilet paper, etc.],” he says, “those are the ones we’re hearing from now.” 38 & Vine requires a minimum purchase and will deliver within a 20-mile radius.
One of my sequestered Italian friends told me recently to “simply be calm and ride it out.” It appears, for now, Dallasites are doing just that. Maybe just with an extra bottle of Jack Daniels or Rombauer Chardonnay in their larder.
Alfonso Cevola is a Dallas wine writer.