Mixed drink delivery gaining steam after DeWine announcement

MEDINA — Warm weather favorites such as margaritas and sangria are again available from Ohio's sit-down establishments, even if the COVID-19 pandemic keeps residents from enjoying restaurant patios and dining rooms for the time being. The drinks are now permitted to be part of carryout and delivery orders after Gov. Mike DeWine signed an executive order signed Tuesday. New rules allow businesses with a liquor permit to sell up to two alcoholic drinks per meal in takeout and delivery orders. While food purchases are required when including high-proof liquor in an order, breweries will be permitted to sell beer and wine that is not made on-site without the inclusion of food. A mixed drink included in orders cannot contain more than 2 ounces of liquor, Tuesday's rule states. Establishments must also ensure that drinks are sold in a closed container and not consumed on the premises. Items will still be subject to usual taxation as well as restriction to minors and those showing signs of intoxication. Medina's High & Low Winery, 588 Medina Road, began including sealed wine in delivery orders immediately after DeWine's March 15 order that closed down sit-down service at all Ohio establishments. Delivery service already was proving popular before the option for mixed drinks opened up. Now, it's increased demand to about 25 orders each day, owner Matt Snyder said. "We kind of saw the writing on the wall back in March and started preparing for this," he said. "We heard the governor's announcement on that Sunday and were live with our delivery the next day. This is a time where everybody is kind of taking things on a day-by-day basis and trying to be innovative. "Delivery is something we're going to want to keep going even after this crisis is over. We haven't heard if the rules for mixed drinks will go back to how they were. Our wine margaritas are pretty popular and we plan on having sangria in the near future." High & Low also is including some unconventional items in delivery and takeout orders such as toilet paper, sanitary wipes and disposable gloves. Deli items including breads and cheeses also have been made available. "These are things that we suddenly had an overabundance of, so why not make them available to people when they're so hard to find right now?" Snyder said. "I doubt that will keep up once things get back to normal in the stores, but we're happy to do it for the time being." The winery offers next-day delivery up to 25 miles away from its Medina location. Ordering has been set up online and is available by phone at (844) 466-4456. The step to allow mixed drinks to go out the door with takeout orders stays in line with previous steps the state has taken to keep alcoholic beverages flowing. State liquor stores are deemed essential businesses under the state's stay-at-home order. Ohioans have really taken that to heart. According to the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control, more than 1.45 million gallons of liquor were sold in March across the state. That amounted to a 26 percent increase over February and 22 percent jump over March 2019. Ryan Marino, chef/owner of Medina's Corkscrew Saloon, 811 W Liberty St., has also been anticipating expanded liquor delivery options. "We've gotten some help from the community in getting all of this going," he said. "Lager Heads (Smokehouse) has provided us with a lot of growlers and Plastipak has gotten us plastic growlers and sealable 8-ounce containers. We also ordered supplies in advance just kind of waiting for this to happen." Corkscrew Saloon is working on putting together an online ordering system, but free delivery is open daily by calling (330) 725-0220. Family meals that serve four people also are available. While it may take some while for business to return to normal, Marino said that expanded delivery options are a welcome piece of good news for establishments and employees hoping for the best. "We're looking forward to creating some fun specials and making the best of this," he said. "We weren't set up for this, just like a lot of places weren't before. So everyone is just trying to adapt. Through that process, the community has been supporting us and we appreciate it." Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at (330) 721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.