Local beverage companies offer home delivery

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This article was published 20/04/2020 (2296 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As the pandemic grinds the Canadian economy to a halt, small-business liquor manufacturers are trying to find a way to survive.

Shrugging Doctor Beverage Company, a winery located at 448b Brooklyn St., announced it is offering home delivery service for its wines, spirits, sangrias and meads. It is also partnering with Dead Horse Cider, a cider maker near Winkler, Man., as well as Patent 5 Distillery, a Winnipeg company that crafts vodka and gin products.

Shrugging Doctor will act as a third-party delivery service. Customers can order products from all three businesses and have them delivered to their homes. The service offers contactless delivery where the alcohol is dropped off at the customer’s door.

Willows Christopher, one of the co-founders of Shrugging Doctor, said their industry was hit hard by the pandemic.

“With all the bars and taprooms closed in the city, it’s been really hard for a lot of small businesses. We’ve had to lay off our staff, it’s just my partner and I doing the deliveries,” Christopher said. “We used to do a lot of farmers’ markets, we’ve had to stop doing sales there … Especially for a small business like us, it’s a lot of sales and attention that we rely on.”

Christopher said they’ve closed their tasting room, which they opened last December, due to health concerns over COVID-19. They’re aiming to keep their retail store open as much as possible, while following the health guidelines set by the province. He added that they plan to re-hire their staff once their situation improves.

Shrugging Doctor previously had its own delivery service in 2017 when it first opened. As time went on, managing the deliveries, as well as their tasting room and retail store became too much work. In late 2019, the owners scaled back their delivery service, switching over to Skip The Dishes.

Christopher said, apart from a few technical issues, the delivery service is going well.

“We launched the delivery service when we opened, so a lot of that tech was still in place. It’s been pretty good so far,” he said. “I think people, now more than ever, are more aware of their local businesses. A lot of us are in a tough position, with the bars and restaurants closing. To see three local manufacturers come together, is really amazing. I hope people will support us.”

According to Christopher, most delivery services for alcohol offer next day delivery in Winnipeg. Shrugging Doctor’s delivery service offers one-hour delivery anywhere in Winnipeg. They’re offering over 15 products, including all of Dead Horse’s main ciders, Patent 5’s vodka and gin and a few options from their own menu.

Currently, their delivery service is open from 4 p.m. till 11 p.m., Thursday to Sunday. Christopher said they may expand the service depending on the demand. For orders that are outside those hours, residents can still order from Skip The Dishes.

For more information, visit shrugdoc.com