Both
@mongoose33 and
@CarolinaMatt make good points. Strip malls have their advantages.
When I researched Alternative Beverage, the Cornelius location appears to be located in a warehouse away from retail shops. If they are indeed closing that location, the lack of retail business may be a part of that decision. Cheap warehouse rentals are not the solution for retail.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Alternative+Beverage+huntersville+nc show pictures at that location.
Here is Alternative Beverage's Charlotte strip mall location.
https://www.google.com/search?clien...&ved=0ahUKEwjv69mShrjmAhUZFjQIHS1rBTIQ4dUDCAo Great signage with other businesses in the strip mall. Though, the name on the signage "Alternative Beverage" doesn't necessarily tell the reader what type of business it is. To me, I would have thought it was something like Wine & More. Imagine the foot traffic just having a Pizza Hut next door. That location appears to be on a regular street....not one with 50 MPH post. So traffic is not speeding by....
Alternative Beverage's Belmont's location is located in a warehouse. It has a lot of space and is not designed for retail.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=alternative+beverage+1500+river+dr+belmont+nc. I suspect it handles all of their online ordering. They have been in business since 1977 and appears to have a decent business model that has worked for them. Without question, their buying power is enormous and with that volume, I'm sure they are receiving excellent pricing on their inventory.
@Tony_nc, you are definitely located in a rural area. While Hwy 16 may be a good artery to your house, I'm not sure how far your customers would be required to drive. Working out of your home has advantages and disadvantages. If you are focusing on retail and trying to bring in new brewers through education, I believe the disadvantages far out way the advantages.
Just a few immediate disadvantages come to mind. You have no marketing/advertising benefits that a strip mall could provide. No one is going to drive by your house and say "let's stop by and see what they have to offer". You have effectively stopped all retail traffic. Personally, I would not go to your house. My perception (whether if it is true or not) is my reality. Working out of the house in a residential neighborhood sends the wrong message for retail. Sounds like a hobby trying to make it a business around your schedule. Lastly, security. I would never invite or allow strangers in my house or portion thereof. While strangers may not actually steal or break in at a later date, they may tell their friends about your house's layout. Crime travels and bad guys talk to other bad guys....
It sounds like your business model may be changing which could have a major impact on your success. You may want to contact a commercial real estate agent about what is available to lease in your area. They have lists of available properties. They are paid a commission by the owner of the property when a lease is signed. Many people believe they will be paying more by using an agent. This is not true. Market conditions control the lease pricing, not commissions. An owner will not be able to increase rents above market conditions to cover any commissions paid out. The benefit of a commercial real estate agent is they can run market analysis reports for you, they can find and show you properties and they can negotiate the lease deal. No deal is too small...check it out.
Again, take your time. Changing your business model may be a bad or good thing. I'm a believer when there are a lot of obstacles or walls that keep getting in the way, that is a major signal to reassess the situation. Many times new business owners are so focused on the tree that they fail to see the forest....they fail to see when the business venture really isn't as viable as they thought. I'm not trying to discourage you, but I would hate for you to lose your investment and that of others.
IMHO, your house location is only good for online orders....not for retail business.
Again, I wish you the best.