The Commercial Appeal - Go Memphis
Bluff City Smugglers to launch alcohol delivery app
If you live in Downtown Memphis, you will no longer need to leave home to get a bottle of booze. Bluff City Smugglers will deliver straight to your door.
Bluff City Smugglers plans to launch its new liquor delivery app sometime in August.
Nathan Musso, one of the co-founders and a recent Rhodes College graduate, said the idea for the liquor delivery app was “a 2 a.m. thought that became a real company.”
Musso was part of the team working on the new grocery delivery service, Bluff City Greens. As the team was reviewing data for the grocery app late one evening (or should we say early one morning?), they came up with the idea to create a sister company focused on alcohol delivery.
“We already know the logistics of ondemand delivery and how to create apps,” said Musso of the decision to create Bluff City Smugglers.
Bluff City Smugglers is negotiating to partner with one locally owned Downtown Memphis liquor store. This store will be the sole partner and source for products. Musso would not name the store until a contract has been signed.
“They actually sell the liquor," Musso said. "We are the platform for sales and delivery.”
Musso said they applied for and received a Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Alcohol Delivery License.
“There are a few active in the state, but most are very small or on a different
Bluff City Smugglers co-founder Nathan Musso delivers a bottle of Riverset Whiskey to Mikayla Newkirk in Memphis, on Saturday, July 17. platform,” said Musso of what makes his delivery company unique.
Customers will download the app on their smartphones. The digital store is organized by the same categories you would find on the shelves in a liquor store. Wine, beer, liquor and drink mixers will all be available. The goal is delivery within one hour.
There is no minimum order, but there is a $3.50 fee per order. Patrons can also tip their delivery person. The service will operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
All account users must be 21 years old to register for an account. IDS will be
A look at Bluff City Smugglers’ new shopping app. Bluff City Smugglers is negotiating to partner with one locally owned Downtown Memphis liquor store. checked upon delivery, and the delivery must be made to the person who placed the order.
When developing the company, Musso decided to only hire salaried delivery drivers. “We will have no gig workers. Everyone will be on salary and have health care. This will make it a better service.”
The alcohol delivery service will initially serve what the company calls “the core” of Downtown Memphis, the South Main area and Mud Island. Musso said they hope to expand into Midtown in the near future.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.