Coronavirus self-quarantine fears prompt influx of customers at Chattanooga liquor stores

March 13, 2020 at 6:35 p.m. | Updated March 13, 2020 at 7:41 p.m.

by Jay Greeson , Allison Shirk

In this Dec. 10, 2019, photo a vast array of fine single malt scotch bottles are displayed at Wink & Nod, basement-dwelling, speakeasy-like bar, in Boston. In this era of bottomless mimosas, craft beers and ever-present happy hours, it’s striking to recall that 100 years ago the United States imposed a nationwide ban on the production and sale of all types of alcohol. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
In this Dec. 10, 2019, photo a vast array of fine single malt scotch bottles are displayed at Wink & Nod, basement-dwelling, speakeasy-like bar, in Boston. In this era of bottomless mimosas, craft beers and ever-present happy hours, it’s striking to recall that 100 years ago the United States imposed a nationwide ban on the production and sale of all types of alcohol. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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While #PanicBuying was trending on Twitter - and a Georgia man stabbed another fellow over a package of bottled water at a Sam's Club in middle-Georgia - necessities of all kinds were high on everyone's list.

Paper products. Dry goods. Libations.

Yes, and even though the crush for tequila may not be as intense as for toilet paper, concerns about "social distancing" and self-quarantine prompted a bit of a run at a few liquor stores around town.

Taylor Smith, the spirits director at Imbibe downtown, said Tito's Vodka is flying off the shelves. He said he thought he bought enough inventory to last him through next Thursday, but he only had enough to last him another hour.

"One guy has a bottle of Tito's in his hand at the checkout as we speak," Smith said over the phone Friday afternoon.

Bota Boxes - a popular boxed wine - also seem to be popular, although Smith hasn't checked the sales on them yet, he said.

The situation looks similar at Jax Liquors on the other side of downtown.

"We did about $12,000 [in sales] Thursday," Jax employee John Millsap said from behind the store's counter downtown. "Normally we do about $9,000."

The big bottles of spirits are frequent flyers from the Jax shelves, Millsap said before pointing to the gaps among the 12-packs of beer in the cooler, as well.

While numbers were not as extreme at Harry's at the foot of Signal Mountain, there has been a noticeable increase from one demographic.

"Our older regulars are stocking up," said Robert Player, Harry's regional manager. "They are buying more of their favorites so they could ride it out if needed."

Another trend Player noted was the demand for pure grain alcohol. The harsh, 190-proof liquor has become the Swiss Army Knife for the stuck at home.

Kick back a swallow or three for a high; use as a wash and homemade hand sanitizer, too.

"I saw the hysteria at the [Food City] next door," Player said, "and we bought all the grain alcohol we could."

Although, Hamilton County health officials say soap and water is more effective.

"If you don't have hand sanitizer - I know there's been a run on it - wash your hands with soap and water," Hendricks said. "That is much better than going through a lot of silliness and wasting good vodka."

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