The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everything, including liquor sales. Some businesses saw increased sales while others lost thousands of dollars.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected everything in 2020, including liquor sales. Some traditional businesses to grab a cocktail, like bars and restaurants, have been closed for the majority of the year for indoor dining or have had limited capacities due to epidemic orders. Others have seen the economic trends of the year reflected in sales. “Yup, that sounds about right,” Tammy Wehrum said upon hearing her tavern had over $10,000 less in liquor sales this year than last. “It’s been horrible.” The Michigan Liquor Control Commission collects data on wholesale liquor sales for active and escrow licenses. According to early December data, there are 313 active liquor licenses in St. Clair County. Of these license holders,54 did better in liquor sales,164 did worse in sales and 96 had zero sales for both 2019 and 2020. Of the businesses that did better,26 were gas stations, convenience stores and liquor stores, like Industrial Park Party Store in Port Huron, which sold over $20,000 more in liquor in 2020 than 2019. However, some liquor stores did worse, like Electric Spirit Shoppe, which sold $5,000 less in liquor this year than last, according to data. The businesses that did worse tended to be restaurants and bars that have been closed completely or partially during the year, including Port Huron businesses Raven Café, which had $13,000 less in sales, Sperry’s Moviehouse, which had $14,000 less in sales, and CityFlatsHotel which sold $20,000 less in liquor sales this year. However, some restaurants did better, like Port Huron Wings Etc., which sold over $600 more in liquor sales this year and St. Clair The Anchor Point Bistro, which sold $10,000 more in liquor sales in 2020.
