AUSTIN, Texas — Coronavirus has impacted businesses both big and small. Some businesses have decided to get creative with how they will get their product out.
Case and point: Austin's Antonelli’s Cheese Shop is now using technology to their advantage.
For the first time in 10 years, Antonelli’s is accepting phonecall orders. You can also place your order online for delivery or curbside pickup and now they offer a virtual cheesemonger experience.
Before we jump into that virtual experience, John Antonelli explains what a cheesemonger is: “Somebody that sells cheese. We are avid fanatics about the product. We love talking about cheese. I'll talk to anybody that's willing to listen.”
OK, now that we know what a cheesemonger is, let’s talk about their virtual cheesemonger experience.
You schedule your appointment ahead of time, and spend 15 minutes via video conference looking at the cheese and asking your questions.
It’s something that Antonelli had been thinking about doing for five years.
“It's been an opportunity to innovate,” he said.
If you feel like you don’t know the first thing about cheese, don’t worry. Antonelli’s Cheese Shop works hard to make the experience welcoming, and not intimidating.
“I've been studying cheese for 12 years, I'm a certified cheese professional, I'm still just scratching the surface. So if I'm just scratching the surface, there's no reason to make it intimidating for anybody else,” he said.
They’ll also be offering classes for those wanting to learn more about cheese. They’ll be launching Facebook Live events where you pick up your cheese plate drive-through style. Then you go home, and they’ll walk you through the selection.
Antonelli also adds that another great way to support local businesses is by ordering take-out or by buying gift cards.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- Coronavirus updates in Central Texas: Hays County confirms 3rd case, Austin Reggae Fest canceled
- Texas Health and Human Services provides new guidance to child care facilities
- Texas Health and Human Services bans non-essential visitors at hospitals
- Coronavirus: Gov. Abbott waives vehicle registration, titling and parking placard regulations in Texas
- Local, national restaurants changing their service due to coronavirus
- List: Central Texas schools canceling classes after spring break due to coronavirus
- Coronavirus live updates: White House wants people to stay home, avoid groups larger than 10
- H-E-B now hiring short-term workers to help with increased demand due to coronavirus
- City of Austin halting evictions, utility cutoffs amid coronavirus concerns
- VERIFY: Is there a drive-thru coronavirus testing clinic in Austin?
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott waives STAAR testing requirements
- Hays County reports third positive COVID-19 case
- COTA confirms layoffs after canceling events over coronavirus
- Austin Animal Center closing amid COVID-19, asking for foster volunteers
- List: Some Austin-area schools canceled after coronavirus cases confirmed in Travis County