Updates About COVID-19
May 15, 2020
We know everyone is dealing with a lot right now, but real talk: this week has felt extra long for the team here at Bishop’s Cellar.
Just want to share that a couple days ago a hot water pipe burst into our shop. This ruined a large section of our recently renovated space and made a huge mess in Bishop’s Landing.
We’re so glad our team is safe and we’re working on getting things cleaned up but we wanted you, our customers, to know what’s happening behind-the-scenes for us. Huge shout out to our friends and neighbours in Bishop’s Cellar– they’ve been through a lot this week and the clean-up is ongoing for us all.
Onward and upward though.
We’re grateful for your ongoing support and we’ll have our next case offering ready on Monday at 8AM.
Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing long weekend,
-The (tired) Team at Bishop’s Cellar-
Monday, April 20, 2020
Thank you for your overwhelming support these past two weeks.
A reminder that deliveries can typically be expected in 3-4 week days from order date.
IMPORTANT CHANGE FOR LOCAL DELIVERIES:
This week, we’re rolling out our own contact-free, direct-to-home delivery for customers on the Halifax peninsula.
If you live in peninsular Halifax, you will not receive a Day & Ross tracking number. Instead, you’ll receive a follow up email with more information about your scheduled delivery.
Someone 19+ must still be home to receive the order- 100% contact-free. Please show your ID through a window or door and your package will be left on your door step.
*We look forward to expanding our service area for local deliveries in the coming weeks.
FOR RESIDENTS OUTSIDE PENINSULAR HALIFAX:
As usual, you’ll receive a tracking number once your order is shipped out of our warehouse. The tracking number will not become active in the Day & Ross website until it has been scanned into their warehouse. Unfortunately, couriers cannot deliver to a PO Box.
If you have questions or need help tracking your order, reply to this email for assistance.
April 6, 2020
We’re Back: Offering Curated Cases for Delivery Anywhere in Nova Scotia
We’ve missed you! Thank you for your patience and understanding during our two week closure- we feel lucky to be part of such an incredible community.
We have limited the selection of wine available in our online shop and, for the foreseeable future, we will offer ONLY pre-set, curated cases to be purchased online for delivery anywhere in Nova Scotia.
Why only one pre-set case?
During the past two weeks, our team discussed many different scenarios for how we could continue serving our customers, safely, as our new reality continues to unfold.
Ensuring the safety of our staff and customers remains our highest priority and we are taking great care to create and follow the strictest guidelines. This model allows our management team and salaried staff to safely and efficiently pack orders to be sent out via courier for delivery. We hope to expand our offerings in the near future.
In recent years, our sommelier-selected case promotions have been a fun and popular addition to our online offerings.
Important information, please read:
?Purchasing: Online orders only. No substitutions can be made. Not applicable with other specials and discounts. At this time, our store will remain closed and we cannot offer any pick-up options.
?Delivery: We are working with a courier to deliver anywhere in Nova Scotia. This means it will take at least a few days for you to receive your order- whether you live in Halifax or further.
?Receiving orders: Please ensure someone 19+ is home to receive the order. The courier is contactless and will knock on the door/ring bell to deliver. Once you open the door and show ID, they will leave the order for you. You will not have to sign for it.
Let us help you fill your wine rack so you can stay home. Learn about our current case here.
Stay tuned for new and different cases in the coming weeks.
Cheers,
-The Team at Bishop’s Cellar-
March 23, 2020
CUSTOMER ALERT: We’re staying home for two weeks.
Due to new measures announced at the Nova Scotia Premier’s press conference yesterday morning, we are closing for two weeks. This includes our retail store, online store, and warehouse operations.
These are temporary measures and we will reassess again in two weeks. Our staff will be paid and receive their benefits during this two week dormancy.
What happens next?
We had suspended sales temporarily over the weekend, as we responded to the high online order volumes, and worked through the backlog in our warehouse. Although we fully intended to re-open at noon today, yesterday’s announcements led us to close for two weeks instead.
We ask for your patience at this time- outstanding orders (those already placed last week) are still on their way to you.
Placed an order for pick up in store last week? Come to our store’s safe pick up area today (Monday) until 4:00PM. Any orders that aren’t picked up today will be shipped to you free of charge. You’ll hear from our staff if we send your order for delivery.
Placed an order for delivery/shipping last week? All current orders will continue their journey to you this week. Orders placed before Friday are already with the courier. Friday’s orders were packed up over the weekend and will be sent out with the courier this morning. Please know that shipping is taking longer than usual at this time. The couriers are working hard, but there are large volumes of orders.
Still have questions? Email [email protected] with your tracking number and our staff will provide any additional information available.
Why Now?
Throughout this crisis, we have watched local, provincial and national governments closely, as well as the NSLC leadership, to mark our path forward. Our government’s response and the recommendations of health professionals have framed our approach as we responded to new realities each day.
We tried hard to keep our business open for pick up and delivery, but we understand that this next phase of Nova Scotia’s response to COVID-19 requires a fundamental shift.
Thank You
Our frontline staff have helped shape every change we instituted and made as we’ve tried to continue serving you, safely, during these challenging and unprecedented times.
From redesigning our retail store into a pick up only space to working with trusted courier partners instead of delivering ourselves, our actions have been focused on managing risk and protecting our staff, customers and community.
Thank you to our entire team- especially those working hard in our warehouse and retail store in recent days- for their tireless commitment, professionalism, and the care they showed for our customers and each other during these difficult and stressful times.
Finally, THANK YOU for your support, warm wishes and patience. We are part of an incredible community and we have felt your love this week. We remain committed to you.
Stay safe. We will get through this together.
All our very best,
Your friends at Bishop’s Cellar
March 20, 2020
Dear customers,
We are SO grateful to this incredible and supportive community of customers.
Due to the volume of orders, we have suspended online ordering for the weekend. We will resume taking orders on Monday at Noon.
Over the past week we have experienced an incredible surge in the number, and the size of orders. We ask for your patience at this time. Orders that have already been placed will continue to be processed for delivery or pick up.
Please know these are temporary measures.
Already placed an order for delivery?
As a result of this increase in demand, and enhanced safety practices in our warehouse and store, it is taking longer than usual to pick and ship your orders.
You’ll receive a tracking number once your order leaves our warehouse. Your order will arrive a couple days later- depending on where you’re located. Couriers do not ship on the weekend.
Already placed an order to be shipped?
Orders to be picked up in store may be picked up on Saturday, March 21st from 10:00AM-7:00PM or again next week starting Monday, March 23 from 10:00-7:00PM. We have reduced hours right now so our store will remain closed on Sunday.
Want to place an order?
We will resume taking orders on Monday at Noon.
THANK YOU!
Thank you for your patience. Our team has been working hard. We need time to respond to the high order volume and work through the backlog in our warehouse.
We remain committed to you, while prioritizing the health and well-being of our staff and community during this challenging time. We’re grateful to you all.
-The Team at Bishop’s Cellar-
March 19, 2020
UPDATE: DELIVERY TIMES DELAYED
Hi customers and friends! Just a quick note to let you know how much we appreciate all the love and support you’ve been showing us the last few days.
Please know that shipping is taking longer than usual at this time, due to the volume of orders. Our warehouse crew and courier partners are working hard, but they are grappling with large volumes of orders- as you can imagine.
If you have received a tracking number, your order has left our warehouse and your order will arrive a couple days later- depending on where you’re located. You’ll receive a tracking number once your order leaves our warehouse.
Please note: couriers don’t deliver on weekends and we cannot say exactly when the courier will arrive. Most of our customers are reporting that the deliveries are happening within a few days. Thank you for your patience!
March 18, 2020
After closing for the day yesterday, we’re ready to re-open the shop this morning at 10:00 AM for online order pick ups only.
We’ve worked hard to create a safe pick up space for customers and staff.
VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT IN STORE PICK-UPS (Please Read)
?Orders placed *during business hours* will be ready for pick up in store three hours later. While you don’t need to come to the store in exactly three hours, please don’t arrive early. We need time to put together orders. No exceptions can be made.
?Please bring your ID and order number to pick up your order.
?We have created a safe pick up area at the front of the shop. Look for the special bright red signage if you’re not sure where to go. Please queue in the marked area to enter the pick up area and be prepared to wait your turn. Our staff will bring orders out.
?No more than 4 people at a time can be in the pick up area- you will see clearly defined floor signage showing you where it is safe to stand.
?We cannot take orders over the phone. We cannot assemble orders or ring in additional items in the store. We are sorry but each staff person will be dedicated to a specific job in the process to keep things moving smoothly, while ensuring everyone in the store maintains safe distance.
Moving forward, we’re also reducing our store hours:
New Store Hours:
Open Monday-Saturday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM for online order pick ups only.
CLOSED Sunday
We know these are big changes from our usual in-store experience. We appreciate your patience in these unprecedented times. Thank you for shopping with us.
PS Delivery is still an option and shipping is free on orders over $150. Please ensure someone 19+ is home to receive the order. Couriers are taking all precautions to keep everyone safe. You’ll receive a tracking number once your order is shipped out.
March 17, 2020
We are continuing to monitor recent, and ever-evolving, developments about COVID-19 as we strive to create the safest environment for our staff, customers, and community.
As a result, our store will stay closed today (Tuesday, March 17) for some re-organization beforeRE-OPENING tomorrow (Wednesday, March 18)as a safe, efficient online order pick-up only space for the foreseeable future.
Order online for delivery by courier or pick up in store!
We have a complete and easy-to-use website! You have two options:
- Order online and choose delivery by courier to your home.We deliver anywhere in Nova Scotia and shipping is free on orders over $150! Please ensure someone 19+ is home to receive the order. Couriers are taking all precautions to keep everyone safe. You’ll receive a tracking number once your order is shipped out.
- Order online and pick up in store for free– orders placed *during business hours* will be ready for pick up in store three hours later.We have created a safe pick up area at the front of the shop. Please bring your ID and order number to pick up your order. Quick and easy for all!
IMPORTANT: we can accommodate no more than 5 people at a time in the pick up area and we will not be able to assemble or ring in additional products in the store. While we are a customer-service driven company, please know this approach is about safety-first during this difficult and unprecedented time. Order online here.
Have questions? Write [email protected] to receive more information.
A further note about safety and community:PLEASE do not come to our shop to pick up orders if you’ve been ordered to self-isolate, whether due to travel outside of Nova Scotia or being in close proximity to someone who has travelled or feeling unwell.
We are working behind-the-scenes to maintain high standards of preparation, hygiene, and sanitization to keep our shop safe for everyone- but we must depend on each other to do the right thing in these uncertain times.
All the best,
Your friends at Bishop’s Cellar
March 13, 2020
Like so many others in Nova Scotia, and beyond, we here at Bishop’s Cellar have been closely monitoring the recent developments regarding COVID-19. There is nothing more important to us than the health and well-being of our customers, staff, colleagues and community.
We are OPEN but we want you to know that we are working behind-the-scenes to maintain high standards of preparation, hygiene, and sanitization across our company. We also want to do our part to make social distancing easier and more effective for all. Using an abundance of caution, we are taking proactive steps to protect our community from larger gatherings and wine tastings in our store.
Here are some of the precautions we are taking:
?Cleanliness: both our retail store and warehouse are professionally cleaned regularly. Cleaning schedules by our staff are also an important part of our day-to-day operations. That said, we are taking extra care to keep surfaces clean and common touch-points like door handles, Debit machines, and touchscreens between uses.
✋Hand-washing & hygiene: we have shared and posted extra hand washing measures with staff. Hand sanitizer is available to customers as they enter the shop. We have also provided extra supplies to our delivery drivers and store staff.
?We have cancelled or postponed all in store tastings until May 1st, when we will re-evaluate. This includes privately booked events, Friday night tastings, Brews with Lou, Growler Fills, in-store sampling, wine appreciation classes, and off-site wine tasting events.
✈️We have cancelled or postponed all Bishop’s Cellar trips- both business trips and consumer tours.
⭐ We are keeping regular communication and connection with our staff. We’re working to ensure we have systems and clear plans in place to keep our staff and customers healthy and secure, despite the uncertainty of these times. We’re asking staff and customers to keep each other in mind. If you’re feeling unwell, staying home and getting healthy is the right thing to do.
We appreciate your patience and understanding. You’ll continue to hear more from us. PS: stay tuned for lots of non-COVID-19 posts, too!