New LHBS in Baltimore

While searching for something else online, I discovered that a new homebrew store is opening in Baltimore: http://www.nepenthehomebrew.com/about-us.html Homebrewing and winemaking supplies, and brew-on-premises.

Their facebook page says they officially open tomorrow.

I work about 5 minutes away from them so I scoped it out over lunch. Was planning on just looking, but wound up dropping $50

Not a huge amount of inventory just yet, but they have all the essentials covered & then some.
Good grain assortment with so things mdhb or annapolis hb don't carry.
Prices are in line with the competition.

I'm overjoyed at not having to take a trip to Columbia if I've forgotten something on a brewday.

They seem good people too. I'll buy from them often.

Sounds promising.

It won't be any closer to me than mdhb, but I look forward to checking it out.

This will be more convienent than Thirsty Brewer. Love Tom, but his hours suck.

Odd that they will be closed on Tuesday, just like MDHB.

Worth the trip. Great store, great owner. Will be going back.

TowsonTiger22 said:

Worth the trip. Great store, great owner. Will be going back.

Click to expand...

^ This.

OK. tl;dr
Good folk. Good business. They get my money.

For the novella, see below.

Good people. Good products. Fair prices.
What more can you ask for? Really?

Yeah, I can shop Teh Intarwebz all day & maybe save myself about 5%.
The idea of an LHBS that close & convenient trumps the heck out of the illusionary savings from mail order.
To say nothing of "Oh crap. I thought I had some WL029 in the 'fridge"
That solution, right there, is *SO* worth it.

And I priced their full 55# base malt prices. I can't do it cheaper, unless it's with a group buy. And at that, I'm only saving a couple of bucks, considering in gas prices to drive to the pick-up.

So, am I willing to cough up a buck or 2 more, here & there, for what they offer?
Hell yeah!!

Value received is worth the price paid. Simple economics.
Non-calcualatable value is the people running the place, how they listen, what soft skills they possess, etc.
I like the way the owners listen & are willing to consider possible changes/additions. I also like the fact that they will say
"Yes. We thought of that & we can't do it. Doesn't make business sense"
Fair enough!

So shut up & take my money!

Also, to be fair, the other 3 LHBS in Maryland also, pretty much, behave the same way. I'm *not* dissing them at all.

If I can pay them to ferment my lager, it saves me by not having to build a lagering box.