As the world faces an unprecedented pandemic, businesses and industries struggle to cope with uncertainty and the devastating impacts of covid-19. Leaders in every state are struggling to find a careful balance between protecting public health while also protecting the financial health of state and local economies.
To date, Pennsylvania is the only state to completely close all stores that provide consumers with access to distilled spirits. Other states have found innovative ways to protect consumers and employees while also allowing businesses to remain open.
Rather than shutting down all Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores, Gov. Tom Wolf should consider examples from other states. The Alabama ABC, for instance, outlined new guidelines to protect consumers and shifted personnel, and encourages a singular employee to retrieve customer products while wearing gloves.
In North Carolina, scaled-back hours are under consideration, but stores are still operational. Distilleries are allowed to sell bottles for off-premise consumption. Virginia stores remain open with reduced hours, and Utah and New Hampshire continue to keep their stores open as well.
Wolf should consider the huge impact his decision has already had and reevaluate the complete closure of all Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores.
Chris Swonger and Matt Dogali
Washington, D.C.
Chris Swonger is president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council. Matt Dogali is president and CEO of the American Distilled Spirits Association.