Wine and liquor sellers see increased demand

The succinct sign on the front door of World Wines and Liquor says “No mask, no booze.”

The succinct sign on the front door of World Wines and Liquor says “No mask, no booze.”

Some customers pull up T-shirts to cover their faces but barefaced customers are being turned away at the Mentor store at 8760 Mentor Ave.

Staffers all wear surgical masks and gloves as they carry orders of wine, beer and liquor to those sequestered in their cars out front.

“We’ve been masked for two weeks,” explained the store’s wine manager, Brian Fife. “And on Monday we’ll be closing for a week to 10 days to change around shelves and do a deep cleaning.”

Despite the loss of business from bars and restaurants closed by state order as a measure to combat the novel coronavirus, business has been brisk, said World Wines owner Alan Iacofano.

That’s been especially true since word has gone out about the store’s temporary closing on April 13. Regulars who usually purchased a bottle of wine or a 12-pack of beer have increased their orders to case quantities.

“We need a break,” Iacofano said. “We’ve been going strong for three or four weeks and my five employees all need a break.”

Business in the past month has been equal to that of November, he said.

The store, among the largest in the state, suffered two late-night robberies in the past year.

“They smashed the window and were in and out in a couple of minutes,” Iacofano said.

Meanwhile, in Fairport Harbor, The Pompadour owner Rusty Phillips was elated at the April 7 state liquor board decision allowing him to sell his restaurant’s craft cocktails on a carryout basis.

“People can’t order cocktails online since we need to check IDs,” said his partner Leanne Mantione.

Food also must be ordered with cocktails, she said, and cocktails must be packaged in sealed containers. Cocktail orders will be taken when food is picked up at the restaurant, 320 High St.

Details and the restaurant’s carryout menu can be found at www.thepompadourbar.com.

JANET PODOLAK, FOR THE NEWS-HERALD Carryout curbside pickup has been added for those who wish to order their beer, wine and liquor by phone from World Wines & Liquor in Mentor.