MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For most local business, the COVID-19 outbreak has greatly impacted everyday life, and not in a positive way. But many are taking this change as an opportunity to try something new.
Celtic Crossing, located in Cooper-Young, is an Irish pub and restaurant that is capitalizing on bringing in a new wave of online customers.
Owner Derek "DJ" Naylor is excited to host the 2nd online virtual tasting class this Saturday. After hosting his first 30-member strong tasting class, Naylor is looking forward to having more people from around the city to sample his selection of whiskey.
He tells Local 24 News that in his class, you never taste the same glass of whiskey twice.
"I try not to repeat a whiskey I've done before. If I'm doing a new whiskey and I'm enjoying it, I always feel like my audience will be too," he said.
Here's how it works. You purchase tickets online, then pick up your virtual tasting kits at Celtic Crossing (along with a free appetizer), pour the whiskey into your favorite glass, and then join the online class at 7:00 p.m.
While Naylor misses the in-person experience, he tells Local 24 News that members of the class are very interactive in the virtual chat.
He thinks it takes some of the anxiety of speaking up in public away and talking behind a computer is easier, so naturally, he gets a lot more feedback online.
He says what started as a trial or experiment may very well become a permanent installation to the pub.
