O’Connor Brewing, TASTE shut down tasting room, only offering to-go orders during coronavirus pandemic

Posted: Mar 16, 2020 / 04:27 PM MDT

Updated: Mar 18, 2020 / 04:26 PM MDT

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Some area businesses have suspended part of their operations or reduced hours in response to COVID-19.

O’Connor Brewing Co. has suspended business in its tasting room in the wake of the national coronavirus pandemic.

Customers will no longer be able to go to the Norfolk brewery to drink beer, but will be able to order products to go. The change in business began on Monday, March 16.

To go orders can be picked up directly inside of the bay door at the brewery. Cans, bottles, cases, and growlers of beer can be purchased to go. O’Connor Brewing Co. will not fill up personal growlers at this time.

To go orders can be made onsite or online and must be picked up the same day they are ordered.

O’Connor Brewing Co. will operate from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and noon from 7 p.m. on weekends until further notice. Customers will not be allowed in past the to go pickup area, and all events at O’Connor Brewing Co. through April 30 have been postponed.

“We have the safety of our neighbors, staff, family, and friends as our highest priority,” O’Connor Brewing Co. leadership wrote in a news release. “Being a local, family-owned business this comes as no easy decision, but one that we are certain is necessary to protect our community.”

Also in Hampton Roads, TASTE has also made some changes.

TASTE will temporarily close its seating and retail areas starting Wednesday.

All 10 of the TASTE stores in Virginia will hold a storewide sale Tuesday on retail items, but not cafe menu items. The sale will go on during normal business hours.

Starting Wednesday, only six of the stores will be open for curbside pickup and delivery services, which will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those six stores include These stores include TASTE Ghent (Norfolk), TASTE Hilltop (Virginia Beach), TASTE Bayville (Virginia Beach), TASTE Greenbrier (Chesapeake), TASTE City Center (Newport News), and TASTE Westhampton (Richmond).

Besides TASTE and O’Connor, here are other businesses adjusting hours or closing:

The Banque Country Western bar will close for the foreseeable future.
ABC stores will reduce operating hours at 24 ABC stores located in the Peninsula Health District beginning Friday, March 20. They will be open from noon to 7 p.m., seven days a week.
Simon Property Group-owned malls and premium outlets, including ones in Norfolk and Williamsburg, will be closed until March 29.