Liquor stores adding protection during coronavirus booze boost

SUMMERLAND, Calif. - Sandpiper Liquors in Summerland has seen a 20 percent jump in customers and a significant increase in delivery sales since the California 'Stay at Home' order.

Delivery calls used to come in about once a week, according to manager Mike Maidaa. Now, Sandpiper gets about five each day.

It's part of a nationwide boost in alcohol buying as people stock up at home.

As sales have spiked, so have in-store protective measures for employees--similar to those taken at many grocery stores.

The scene at Sandpiper looks like it does inside several other South Coast liquor stores: a plexiglass barrier now sits between the employee behind the counter and customers on the other side.

Several signs tell customers to maintain a physical distance of six feet between others while inside, and other signs warn those feeling ill not to enter. Taped-off lines inside tell customers where to stand to maintain physical distancing.

Maidaa says most people coming in follow the rules and wear protective gear. To this point, he says, he has not had to remove anyone from the store for being sick.

In terms of business, Mike says some may be coming in to buy items--alcoholic or not--that are sold out at grocery stores.

“It’s still busy, but there’s not as much crowd as the big markets,” he said. “So [customers] don’t have to wait outside, they can come in.”

Not every business is seeing an increase in business. Some say they've lost customers in the past month.

Nearly all have added masks, gloves and signs. Cashier Mike Powers at Ray's Liquor on Santa Barbara's Westside hopes his store can add plexiglass at the counter, too.

“My boss ain’t gonna do a big one, not like a bank,” he said. “But a little barrier right here would be good.”