The decline of the LHBS?

[MaxStout]

Local brew stores get caught in a paradox. They need to stock a large inventory of goods that include a lot of perishables, so in order to make a decent profit they need higher margins--charge more. But then the goods become priced out of the market when compared to online, especially when the online vendor offers free or low-cost shipping.

 

[lump42]

Local brew stores get caught in a paradox. They need to stock a large inventory of goods that include a lot of perishables, so in order to make a decent profit they need higher margins--charge more. But then the goods become priced out of the market when compared to online, especially when the online vendor offers free or low-cost shipping.

This is why my LHBS started as a online store first until they had enough local drop off orders to justify a store front.

 

[odie]

properly stored grain will last years before any noticeable decline. Hops and yeast stored cold has a "reasonable" shelf life as well. If yeast or hops is sitting around long enough to be an issue, you either have no market in your area or you are stocking too much of the obscure stuff...carry a little of everything, but a lot of certain things...

 

[grampamark]

I buy both locally and online.

I’m semi-retired and we divide our time between a farm which is well and truly in the middle of nowhere (and is where I do most of my brewing), and a house in the largest city in the state (and 3 of the 4 adjacent states, as well). It’s 250 miles from the farm to the city.

In the city there is one dedicated HBS and an Ace Hardware which added a homebrewing section a couple of years ago. The LHBS is 20 minutes from my house; Ace is 5, 10 if I hit most of the red lights.

Since I started brewing, 8 years ago, I have purchased most of my ingredients and supplies from the LHBS and taking them to the farm. The store has been in business for about 25 years, is owned by a father and son, and is well-stocked with fresh ingredients (they supply several of the 8 local breweries which helps with turning over inventory quickly). The owners are knowledgeable and helpful and, quite honestly, a couple of fun guys just hang out and visit with. I’ve bought most of my equipment online, mostly from AIH and Kegconnection.

In the past year I’ve started buying more ingredients online simply because of price. The LHBS is charging $1.75-1.95/lb for base malts, $3+ for most specialty grains. Even buying base malts by the bag would cost about $15 more for 50lbs than buying 5 10lb bags from Morebeer with free shipping. Hops are $2-3/oz. The HB section of the hardware store doesn’t have the variety of ingredients that the dedicated store has and the prices aren’t any lower. I’d like to patronize the local guys more, especially the LHBS, but at some point one has to decide what fits the budget the best. I’ve been brewing a lot more since I started buying in bulk and spending about the same amount as I spent last year when I brewed fewer batches.

I’ve heard through the grapevine that the LHBS guys might be pulling the pin on maintaining a storefront and just warehouse customer orders for pickup. The time suck of having someone sit in the store all day to serve a handful of walk-ins is no longer worth it when the bulk orders are paying the bills. I’ll be in town in a couple of days; I’ll stop in and visit (and buy something).

 

[jcav]

I have one LHBS that is an hour and a half round trip for me. Most of the time I order from MoreBeer with free shipping on orders over $59 dollars and they ship very quickly (most of the time within 3 days). I brew once a month (but many months twice a month) so I am always ordering from them or a few other online companies. If a LHBS opened closer to me I would definitely shop there.

John

 

[dwhite60]

I find that if I buy bigger quantities from my LHBS the price is lower. Half sacks of 2 row for $25. Fulls sacks even less. This compares with online retailers.

I think a lot of people go into business thinking they are going to get rich. You don't unless you put every bit of your heart and soul into it and then you still may not. People tend to be willing to pay higher prices for service.

I think there's a lot of things LHBS's could do to make themselves more viable.

All the Best,
D. White

 

[day_trippr]

The LHBS paradigm has been on a steep decline and many stores have closed over the last few years, or will in the next. I'm not sure what the demographic reasons may be but I suspect Boomers aging out is a significant contributor. I don't think the internet has much to do with it...

Cheers!

[edit] I'll add I have yet to ever order any portion of a batch from an on-line retailer over the last ~15 years, mostly because I live 15 minutes from what used to be the largest LHBS in New England and they were always well stocked. Unfortunately the reality of the LHBS decline has prompted the owner to steer largely towards a brew pub over the last year+ and has pretty nearly left the ingredients thing barely hanging in.

I have a couple of alternative stores within 30 minutes of home, and indeed resorted to driving into Cambridge today to pick up a 32 ounce bottle of 5 Star LLC, rather than go the Amazon route, as that store may soon become my primary LHBS...

 

[Cavpilot2000]

[edit] I'll add I have yet to ever order any portion of a batch from an on-line retailer over the last ~15 years, mostly because I live 15 minutes from what used to be the largest LHBS in New England and they were always well stocked. Unfortunately the reality of the LHBS decline has prompted the owner to steer largely towards a brew pub over the last year+ and has pretty nearly left the ingredients thing barely hanging in.

I have a couple of alternative stores within 30 minutes of home, and indeed resorted to driving into Cambridge today to pick up a 32 ounce bottle of 5 Star LLC, rather than go the Amazon route, as that store may soon become my primary LHBS...

The awesome and well-stocked on e I referred to above is in Weymouth. I know it's further from you, but if you are in the SOuth Shore area, the Emporium is worth going to. They are affiliated with the one in Cambridge, but I feel better stocked. But I have shopped at both.

 

[seatazzz]

I only buy hops and random equipment online; grain & yeast I get at the LHBS. There are two in my area, both are 28+ miles from my house (of course in opposite directions) but worth it. Both are well stocked, with super helpful friendly staff, and both are willing to order anything I might need that they don't have. Since I have my own mill, and re-use yeast, I only have to stop in maybe once every other month unless I need something RIGHT NOW that I ran out of. But each visit is a major social event, I make sure I have time for a nice chat and perhaps taste something they've brewed up. Each shop has its pros; one is mainly for bulk malt, the other for equipment and some adjunct malt that the other shop doesn't carry. I can always adjust my recipes to fit what they have too.

 

[kh54s10]

One highly respected LHBS lost my business because, at least twice, I went during their normal hours that consist of only a few hours, 4 or 5 days a week and they were not open. A pretty far distance to find out I can't get what I wanted. I guess it is really a side business.

Fortunately one opened really close by with as good or better selection and open like a regular store. I really liked that one. Unfortunately I have move since.

Here the close one is more of a wine store and the farther one is the better of the two. But they have pretty normal hours.....

 

[Tidwellc]

I think there's a lot of things LHBS's could do to make themselves more viable.

Agreed. It's getting harder to go when literally every single time I do they're out of several items I need for my brew day. Can't depend on them at all. And sometimes giving me attitude on top of it.
There's one LHBS near me that started out as a regular storefront, and they've started catering HEAVILY to online orders. They've done well, and the storefront has flourished because of it too. Fully stocked and tons of helpful staff. Unfortunately they're the only one like that in my area and they're 40+ miles away.