PORT WASHINGTON — For Vines to Cellar in Port Washington, figuring out the stay-at-home order was the first obstacle.
"March 17, in the morning, I thought we would be able to have up to ten people. I moved the chairs around to make sure we were social distancing. But by that afternoon it was no, you can have nobody here," says CJ Wirsching-Neuser, co-owner of Vines to Cellar.
With mandates changing day to day, owners CJ and Jim Wirsching-Neuser had to figure out a new sales strategy quickly.
"How do we sell and get the word out? Bottles of wine, should we deliver, should people pick it up at the curb," says CJ.
Now doing a mixture of everything to keep business going, Jim and CJ appreciate the community's support.
"We have a lot of our regular customers that do come in and say you know we're glad that you're able to stay open," says Jim Wirsching-Neuser, co-owner of Vines to Cellar.
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"As Jim said, our regulars are here, but we've gotten people that we have never seen before that have said I'm glad you're here, and I want to support you as a small business," says CJ.
The couple has even managed to have a few laughs along the way.
"Every case of wine comes with a mask and two rolls of toilet paper. So it brings some humor to the situation," says CJ.
Keeping their regular hours, customers can purchase enough wine to get them through any stay-at-home order.
Plus, Jim and CJ are already creating new wines and ways to celebrate when customers can return.
"Buy a glass get a glass for free when you can come in and enjoy it again with us to thank them for supporting us through this time," says Jim.
If you're wondering how the Vines to Cellar mascots, Cabernet and Vino, you'll be pleased to hear they are still wagging their tails waiting for customers to return.