HAGERSTOWN, Md. (WMAR) — One Maryland business has come up with a way to stay 'pawsative' and safe while offering curbside pickup during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lori Yata is the co-owner of Stone House Urban Winery in Hagerstown. Soda Pup is her 11-year-old boxer, who is well known at the winery and the first to be greeted by customers.
Yata said having to close the winery for regular business has been hard on Soda Pup as he misses interacting with visitors.
So to help cheer up Soda Pup and to bring a smile to the faces of customers, Yata came up with an idea.
She bought a vest for Soda Pup to wear that carries two bottles of wine at a time. When a customer drives to the winery for curbside pickup, Soda Pup acts as the delivery man.
Yata places the order in her pup's vest, and he walks it from inside the winery outside to the waiting customer.
That's not it. When Soda Pup finishes his delivery, he expects a tip. Well -- sort of...Yata places treats in Soda Pup's backpack so the customer can reach in there and hand one to thank him for the delivery.
Customers have come from Washington D.C., Alexandria, Virginia, and Pennsylvania just to see Soda Pup. Yata says the business is doing well despite only being able to do curbside pickup.
Stone House is located at 12810 Shank Farm Way in Hagerstown. They're open Wednesday through Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. Curbside pickup orders can be made by calling 240-513-4565.
