thinking of opening a brew supply store

integra93ls · 09-01-2011, 12:25 AM

Ok I'm thinking of opening a brew supply store in upstate new york.
We will be doing both a storefront and internet sales to help offset cost of storefront.
What are the main supplies needed to keep in stock?
I would have fresh grains, hops, yeast and some other supplies like pots, chillers, coolers for mlt, etc.
Does anyone know any wholesale suppliers that I could deal with? Or any other ideas for the store?
Could also do a brew on premises.

**TrainSafe** · 09-01-2011, 12:28 AM

The only business advice I have for you is: focus on customer service as your first, second and third priorities. The rest will come naturally.

integra93ls · 09-01-2011, 12:32 AM

that will be priority alongside fresh product

integra93ls · 09-01-2011, 12:35 AM

My question is do these smaller stores make a decent profit? Where I am located there are no stores within a very large area. So I will have a big area that people will come from. Is the demand high enough ?

Maxkling · 09-01-2011, 12:36 AM

Also, I know every time I go to my LHBS, I talk. I ask for advice and opinions.

This is what has made me not return back to certain stores and stick with the one I go to.

So I hope your plenty knowledgeable and have good communication skills. Experience IMO, will be the determining factor.

Also to answer your question above, its all on you. Advertising, starting a business isn't easy. It will be scary slow for a long time until your build up a name, reputation, reliability, and marketing. It doesn't happen over night and you do nothing but loose money until you can find you equilibrium. Its with any business.

Do you have ANY experience with economics, marketing, management, or law? If not you really should do a good bit of research for find a partner that can assist you.

integra93ls · 09-01-2011, 12:57 AM

Yeah I know its gonna be hard at first to start. I don't have a ton of experience in businness but have a general idea what to do n what not to do.
I have some experience in homebrew but just like everything else in life always learning as you go.
My main concern would be having fresh supplies n great customer service. And talk n hang out with customers to help them out. Hell we will be helping eachother out.....
And yes the more you do it the easier it gets.

jheld00 · 09-01-2011, 01:05 AM

The first thing I would do is get an idea of how popular home brewing is in your area my advice would be to check all the local clubs that should give you a decent idea of potential customers. You could open an incredible brew store which I'm sure you would but if you don't have a customer base to keep cash flowing then you won't be open long. Also check with you potential venders to make sure you could even get their product I have heard some venders will only sell to so many stores within a designated area.
One thing I have noticed here in St. Louis which is a pretty good sized area there is only one true "home brew store" is location. Since people are going to be coming from a good distance, they will not want to take a bunch side streets and what not to get to your shop. Try to find a place near a major artery in your area.
Also advertising is key. No fancy commercials but ads are cheap in small local papers, social networks are cheap(if not free) way of getting your name out there. You could also go to the local club meetings and hand out hops or give a local charity event a few beginners kits that they could auction off. A must would be having a booth at all local craft beer events.

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MaltnHops · 09-01-2011, 01:09 AM

www.fermentap.com is the wholesale supplier for many of them. It is a division of More Beer.

integra93ls · 09-01-2011, 01:11 AM

Thanks will check it out. Some good ideas for advertising. Ty. I will be checking out and scouting some areas I'm thinking of for potential customers

integra93ls · 09-01-2011, 01:21 AM

Just thought of a place. The local beer dist has a part of building I could possibly rent out from them. I would have some great traffic from there clients and could help them out at same time... Hmmmm I might have to check into it tom.