https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburghs-wigle-whiskey-owner-discusses-business-during-a-pandemic/
How Pittsburgh's Wigle Whiskey navigates business during a pandemic
On March 13, Wigle Whiskey debuted the expansion of its Strip District base, with an expanded bar, restaurant, tasting room and museum.
Two days later, that space closed when the coronavirus pandemic led to a national economic shutdown.
“The past 10 weeks have been a whirlwind,” said Meredith Meyer-Grelli, Wigle Whiskey’s co-owner, in a Zoom call arranged by the Pittsburgh Technology Council on Thursday. “It all happened practically overnight. My husband and I went to bed that night thinking the world was falling apart.”
Gov. Tom Wolf closed the state liquor stores March 17. The demand for spirits flourished.
“Our online sales skyrocketed,” she said. “So, we turned that new, expanded space into a shipping fulfillment center. We have seen a little drop-off now that state stores have been reopened.”
She said they retained full-time employees who wanted to work. Many are doing different jobs than they were hired for. A chef might spend time labeling bottles, she said.
The company participated in food drives to help the city. They also produced and donated hand sanitizer to the Pittsburgh Public Safety Department for distribution across Allegheny County.
Meyer-Grelli talked about the origins of the company, a family business. It has grown from one space in March 2012 to seven sites, including two for its sister business, Threadbare Cider House, based on Pittsburgh’s North Side.
“I could not have a business that wasn’t rooted in the community,” she said. “We take nothing for granted. The world owes us nothing. I feel like these days we all live with constant anxiety.”
View this post on InstagramMemorial Day Deal!!! Get 2 bottles of out New Rye Old Fashioned for ONLY $70!! Get You Bottles Here: https://wiglewhiskey.com/ Offer valid through 11:59 PM Monday, May 25th, 2020 #WigleWhiskey #Rye #MemorialDay #OldFashioned #Cocktail #Local #Pittsburgh #Pennsylvaia #Whiskey A post shared by Wigle Whiskey (@wiglewhiskey) on May 21, 2020 at 12:01pm PDT
Meyer-Grelli said they’ve also focused on producing more whiskey and cider to boost inventory for the future.
As businesses begin to emerge from pandemic restrictions, she is not opposed to using parking lots for outdoor dining and drinking.
“There is a huge mental barrier about sitting inside around a table at a restaurant right now,” she said. “We don’t know what it will take in the future, but we will do everything we can to adapt.”
Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)