My LHBS is for sale. If not sold it will close by the end of next month.

[OpenSights]

I don’t want my store closing, I hate to be a leach or shark. I’ve paid more to them than buying on line for the last two years. Specialty grains not carried by other LHBS in the area, yeast...

Got all four, new, for $20. Have some reading to do....

 

[IslandLizard]

Glad to hear you fought off the initial impulse, which is understandable.

It's always sad to see a good store closing, especially one you're a loyal customer to. But if profit isn't enough to justify its existence, what's the point? Unless someone is into providing bottom line charity and needs a pastime.

One of the LHBS in my area "transferred ownership" 2-3 years ago. I had looked into it a little, but the only ones I could see getting guaranteed positive income were the strip mall owner/agency where the store space was leased, suppliers, insurance co, utilities, etc. It's still there and seems to do as well as it did before, from what I heard. They rely on loyal patrons.

There must be better business models for LHBS...

 

[passedpawn]

Glad to hear you fought off the initial impulse, which is understandable.

It's always sad to see a good store closing, especially one you're a loyal customer to. But if profit isn't enough to justify its existence, what's the point? Unless someone is into providing bottom line charity and needs a pastime.

One of the LHBS in my area "transferred ownership" 2-3 years ago. I had looked into it a little, but the only ones I could see getting guaranteed positive income were the strip mall owner/agency where the store space was leased, suppliers, insurance co, utilities, etc. It's still there and seems to do as well as it did before, from what I heard. They rely on loyal patrons.

There must be better business models for LHBS...

I'd love to just buy everything on Amazon. Srsly. I now buy all my consumables (grain, yeast, hops) from my LHBS even though it's expensive. I like those guys. Still, the convenience of getting from Amazon is compelling.

I know @Bobby_M is going to come in here and yell at me, I totally understand his point of view. Some people definitely get help from the shop, especially newbs (I was there once). So I'm only speaking for myself.

 

[Darwin18]

You probably made the smart move not to buy this failing business. There could be a lot of different reasons why the business is failing but why you want to be tied to that? You could always buy up his inventory and equipment (if it's of sufficient quality), but I'd go with a fresh start. Like other's have mentioned here already, it's a tough business climate for the LHBS and you'd need to do quite a bit to set yourself apart. A license for draft beer on premise would probably be a great move if your state allows for it.

 

[Dustin_J]

Damn, sorry to hear about this. Karl (I assume is still the current owner) is a great guy, and I had a lot of good times at both the old and "new" store locations when I lived in East Lansing in the mid-2000s. As strong as that club is, though, I'd imagine things will keep moving forward. I'll drink a pint or two tonight in honor of the Red Salamander - the place I basically learned how to make beer.

 

[cmac62]

My LHBS owner said something about retiring the last time I was in and I thought for about two seconds "hey maybe a homebrew store would be a good thing to get into. Then I remember him telling me in the past that he is barely staying open. That is why I go there regularly and buy most of my stuff from him. But I know it would be a HUGE mistake for me.

 

[OpenSights]

Damn, sorry to hear about this. Karl (I assume is still the current owner) is a great guy, and I had a lot of good times at both the old and "new" store locations when I lived in East Lansing in the mid-2000s. As strong as that club is, though, I'd imagine things will keep moving forward. I'll drink a pint or two tonight in honor of the Red Salamander - the place I basically learned how to make beer.

Karl sold it about three years ago to Tom... don’t know his last name. They offered to sell it back, but he declined.

RLB will probably be bouncing around. Plenty of former members who went pro have breweries! We just bought a new chugged pump for firebrew, and looking into sources for supplies. Come to LBF in Reo town Saturday after 5:30. I’ll be working... just not sure where.

If you have time and need some supplies stop in! Lots of 1oz hops for a buck, good selection of grain and yeast left. Tell Nick Red Yeti said Hi.