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Aug 29, 2023

A toast to success: The Champagne Lady offers unique bubbly

Becky McHugh's new side gig complements her video production company shared with brother STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS SaltWire Today - Thursday, August 3, 2023 | SaltWire Already well

Becky McHugh's new side gig complements her video production company shared with brother

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS

SaltWire Today - Thursday, August 3, 2023 | SaltWire

Already well versed in weddings through a video production company she co-owns, Becky McHugh uncovered a neat new business idea after finding an image online of a stylish champagne serving cart.

"I hadn't seen any of the champagne displays at any of the weddings we attended, and we had done quite a few weddings," she said. "I realized that may be an opportunity to offer rentals."

Thus, Becky McHugh became "The Champagne Lady," which also serves as the name for her newly-launched business venture.

"Sure enough, it was really popular for weddings, but has since expanded to all kinds of events — birthday parties, pretty much anything."

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McHugh co-owns EvanMc Productions with her brother Evan McHugh. She offers general assistance on wedding days while he handles the bulk of videography and editing. They're now in the midst of their third summer, but this is the first one for The Champagne Lady.

McHugh ordered her cart from a supplier in Europe. The overhead rack accommodates 40 hanging champagne glasses, with space on the cart's counter for more as needed — customers tend to tell McHugh how many glasses they want prior to the event. There are two buckets built into the counter for keeping bottles iced. Customers are responsible for supplying their own wine.

Seeing the cart take off like it did, McHugh was quick to add another champagne-serving option. Built by her father, Dave McHugh, The Champagne Lady's champagne ladders can hold 35 glasses and has shelves that can be used in a number of ways.

"You can get really creative with those shelves," she said.

"I've done charcuterie boards on them, wedding cakes, extra drinks if you wanted or champagne buckets. There's all kinds of things you can do with them, and people have a lot of fun decorating them to match the style of their party as well."

The cart and ladder have been booked up for just about every weekend since May, and she's added a second ladder to help meet demand for her rental services.

The cart usually functions as a self-serve station, though it can also be staffed by someone from the venue where an event is taking place.

The cart is a pick-up only service, though McHugh can deliver the ladder for a fee.

"I will just deliver it to the party and set it all up for them and pick it up once it's done," McHugh explained.

As a single woman living on one salary in St. John's, the extra income she earns from both her video production company and The Champagne Lady is very helpful.

"I work a nine-to-five (job) that is a pretty average salary, so I think that being able to have some extra side gigs in addition to your regular job can really make a world of difference in terms of financial security," she said.

"I'm a big advocate that if you have the time and energy, I think getting creative and finding something that you enjoy and that can bring you a little extra income can make a world of difference to your life."

McHugh is primarily serving the St. John's metro area with her business. However, she is able to do business beyond the overpass. This weekend, for example, she has a customer going to Bonavista for an event who is picking up the cart to take there and bring back after.

The cart can be rented for $250 (pick-up only).

One champagne ladder can be rented for $200, or $350 for two, with a $60 charge for delivery and set up. Glasses are included with the rentals.

You can find The Champagne Lady on Instagram by checking @thechampagnelady_nl, or on Facebook by searching for The Champagne Lady NL.