PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon distilleries finally have something to smile about right now. The OLCC is now easing restrictions and temporarily allowing them to start shipping their products to customers.
Just like any other distillery in Oregon, Westward Whiskey in Southeast Portland has been fighting tooth and nail to bring in money. Much of their cash comes from tasting rooms, which have been shut down since mid March because of the Coronavirus pandemic. That path has gotten a little easier for Kelly Woodcock, who’s Vice President of Consumer Experience with Westward Whiskey.
Over the last couple of days, being able to expand their business has already proven to be a success. Woodcock says they’ve seen sales nearly tripled in just the last couple of days. When they were forced to shut down last month, they scrambled to put together an online presence.
“We put together online sales, rapid fire after we closed our tasting room, people could order online and pay online and then hand them over the product,” says Woodcock.
Now customers don’t have to worry about ordering and driving to pick up their whiskey, you can just order from their website and it’ll be shipped right to you. It’s a big change customers and other businesses are going be seeing for the unforeseeable future.