Jack's Market

Store

448 E Front St
Traverse City, Michigan, 49686-2614
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.01
Reviews:
17
Ratings:
17
pDev:
7.23%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of SpdKilz
Reviewed by SpdKilz from Illinois

3.86/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
Stopped here while in Traverse City on vacation with the family.

I was here last year but was a bit inebriated so I decided to wait until this year to review it. Located a bit off the main strip in downtown Traverse City, this is a nice looking store from the outside, though a bit crowded on the inside. There is less beer than I remember from last year, and honestly nothing really stood out. There are a couple coolers with basic Michigan beers, but again, nothing out of the ordinary. I was a bit disappointed that there were no “special” Short’s or Founders beers here (as I read in other reviews, though I was a bit late, oh well).

I still picked up a couple things – the nice part was you could get singles here. The staff was nice and the place clean though as stated, a bit crowded. If in TC, a place to stop in for sure.
Aug 23, 2011
Photo of ssimpson89
Reviewed by ssimpson89 from Illinois

3.86/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
I go to Jack's to find Michigan beers when I vacation there. It's a small store, so I don't expect a world class selection, even thought they do have some imports. The staff is friendly.

I love the fact that you can buy any beer in the store as a single, which has given me the opportunity to try several MI beers that I don't get in Chicago without having to buy sixers.

You may also get a good surprise. I love Founders Imperial Stout, but was unable to get my hands on some when it came out this year....lo and behold I found some at Jack's in June. I had the same experience with Nemesis last year.

I get to the TC area 4-5 times a year and Jack's will always be a regular stop.
Jun 26, 2011
Photo of MilwaukeeCrusher
Reviewed by MilwaukeeCrusher from Wisconsin

3.85/5  rDev -4%
While I'm not sure this place would hold its own compared to the bigger places in the bigger markets, this place does fit its tidy place in the Traverse City market. Quality of the beers was good, but due to the size of the store it was only ok and not impressive. The service was very good, as well as the other parts of the store including a wine department. It would seem that if one is in the area of Traverse City, this would be a good place to pick up a few locals to enjoy a vacation or a few beers with friends and family. If you want to find a few of the harder releases, then you aren't going out of your way to go here, other then possibly Shorts.
Jan 13, 2011
Photo of DannyDan
Reviewed by DannyDan from Michigan

4.15/5  rDev +3.5%
I don't get around to go to this place often, but when I do I am impressed with the friendliness of the staff. Most of the time when I went there before it was to get rum or gin, so when I decided to get some different craft beers they were very helpful in letting me know which beers I can mix and match. I just wish I would have tried the craft beers a long time ago since I have a choice of two excellent stores to shop at. I do like how they keep most everything refrigerated so they are cold when I get home. I also like that they have a good selection of beer and liquor, and they have lots of wine too.
Nov 30, 2010
Photo of gratefulbeerhead
Reviewed by gratefulbeerhead from Indiana

4/5  rDev -0.2%
In order to reduce my driving around the Traverse City area, I had called around to see who had what Short's new releases. I was looking for several including the Spruce Pilsner. I had a very hard time finding this anywhere (I didn't have the time to travel all the way to the brewery from Traverse City) and they told me that they had two singles left. They happily held them for me for the 20 minutes that it took me to get there and I was very thankful. The rest of the selection was not real great, but they had the main big MI breweries represented along with several other macros on their shelf. If you are staying at the State Park, this is a very easy walk or bike ride and definitely the best place to pick up some beers for the campfire.
Aug 25, 2010
Photo of sloppymoose
Reviewed by sloppymoose from Michigan

3.8/5  rDev -5.2%
Jack's market used to be the only spot to go in town for great beer, but the Beverage Co has simply outdone them. Jack's prices are very high, and their selection seems to get more limited every time I go. Only saving grace is the very friendly and knowledgeable staff. I would pass this one up. The wine selection, on the other hand, is pretty good, and very occasionally they will have a beer or 2 that the beverage CO doesn't have, but that is most likely because the bev. co sells out of their good stuff first due to price difference.
May 11, 2010
Photo of kbeals
Reviewed by kbeals from North Carolina

4/5  rDev -0.2%
First impressions of this place were pretty good. Has good lighting, not the overbearing fluorescent lights of regular stores. Staff was very friendly, offered assistance and we even talked beer for a little while. Their selection was pretty good, especially for northern Michigan. Everything seemed fresh, and the store was well organized and clean. This place also has an expansive wine and cheese selection if you're interested in that. Sadly, there was no glassware to buy there, something I've been wanting to do for awhile. Definitely stop in if you get the chance.
Jan 07, 2009
Photo of Taffle
Reviewed by Taffle from Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%
If you're in Traverse City, or northern Michigan for booze matters, Jack's has a great selection of micro brews and fine wines. I especially love how they allow you to buy individual 12oz of beer or the mix-a-six so to speak, so you can really diversify you're tasting experience. They offer a huge variety of brews that keeps me browsing at all the eye candy for awhile. Their liquor selection is also the best and most premium around town.
Most of the jack's crew knows what's good and are generally pretty helpful. It's a small market that offers a lot and is right in the heart of town. Check it out if your in the area.
May 04, 2008
Photo of bushbeer75
Reviewed by bushbeer75 from Michigan

3.4/5  rDev -15.2%
Prior to vacationing in Traverse City, MI I checked out the directory reviews on the Beer Advocate website and found Jack’s Market to be rated the best. While in Traverse City I visited this neat well-kept Market. Jack’s stocks a [smaller] selection of American [including Michigan brews], Belgian, German, Irish/English, and Canadian. Jack’s does sell singles making it easy to try new ales.

The person behind the counter did not offer any assistance, although I did not ask for any. I was allowed to look without any sales person pressuring me to purchase. Pricing on most brands seemed to be slightly above the Detroit area. I am from the metro Detroit area so perhaps I am a little spoiled by our many store choices and competitive pricing.

If you are in Traverse City it is worth the visit!
Aug 04, 2007
Photo of mattcrill
Reviewed by mattcrill from Ohio

3.85/5  rDev -4%
Certainly, the best place to stop in Traverse City. Greeted with a smile and warm welcome. A nice selection of sixers along an entire wall of coolers. Some German, Belgian, and American singles along another shelf. Nothing out of the ordinary but a very fine and vast selection. The Samichlaus did jump out at me but only b/c I can't get it in Ohio. It's pretty much a staple in Michigan. All things considered, this is the place to stop if you're looking to stock up while in TC. I was a little disappointed that they didn't have more Michigan offerings but what they miss in local offerings, they more than make up for with other offerings from the region.
Jul 08, 2007
Photo of nortmand
Reviewed by nortmand from Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%
Very clean, nice interior. Pretty high scale specialty liquor and cheese store with a good beer selection.

Service was quite friendly, offered me an empty sixer after I'd picked up just one beer.

The selection has me convinced that Lansing is a beer vacuum. Some of the things they had that are not to be found in Lansing are: Rogue Dad little helper, the Goose Island extra special beers and a whole host of English ciders and ales. That said, the selection isn't any better than Siciliano's in G.R., but it far outdoes any Lansing area stores for rarer beers.

A bit expensive, but a good place to find rarer beers.
Sep 18, 2006
Photo of nomad
Reviewed by nomad from Kansas

3.85/5  rDev -4%
Very well-kept market de liquor farther east on Front street and a great stop for picking up the good local white wines and some other regional treats. A little on the upscale vibe, the service was friendly and accessible. Beer selection is not the best, though all the usual Michigan suspects are represented but not in the widest array of their portfolios. Import selection is varied with some real odd, rare choices of Czech lagers, English/Scottish real ales, and French artisanals. They allow you to break sixes for singles which, in my experience, is way too rare in this state.

If you're in Traverse, this is the place to go. May not impress the downstaters but its a nice spot regardless.
Feb 15, 2006
Photo of nota
Reviewed by nota from North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +7.2%
Quality: I rated good, but I did purchase one beer that was well past its suggested purchase by date. That was only once out of many purchases with no problems.

Service: Can't really ask for much better. The guy at the counter is willing to talk to you and answer questions. Being able to split 6ers is really great when trying something new. They take bottle returns from just about any brewery even if purchased somewhere else.

Selection: To me its good, but for those from the big city micro mecca's you might think differently. I'm coming form the boondocks from the east side of the state. To me I have died and gone to heaven.

Value: I'm a cheap-skate. I think a 6 pack should never be over $10 no matter what.
Nov 05, 2005
Photo of Backer2004
Reviewed by Backer2004 from North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev -4%
I wanted to bring as few Michigan brews back with me and Jack's satisfied my needs. The guy at the counter said I couldn't fly them back but Beer Advocate had taught me something 9plus they safely made it back).

Anything in six pakcs were individually priced and could be mix and matched, which was nice. Of course, I mainly looked for Michigan beers that I haven't tried but had to bring back a Dogfish 90 Minute, since it hadn't made it to North Carolina just yet (give a few weeks now that we've popped the cap).

I was talking to the guy at the store about the limits on alcohol in some states and he said he'd need a case to feel anything in a state that limits its alcohol. Was this comment trying to impress me?
Aug 20, 2005
Photo of CRJMellor
Reviewed by CRJMellor from Arkansas

3.85/5  rDev -4%
Gourmet store just at the east end of the TC shopping district. Lots of wine, liquor, etc, and various beers along with some gourmet snack foods. Friendly folks, decent parking and well lit and presented store. Beer selection was small but solid, with MI and mid-west obviously dominating. Few Pacific coast brews show that the owner/ beer buyer knows what they are doing.

Prices were well withing acceptable limits and nothing seemed outdated at all. Nice little find in a smaller part of thw beer world.
Dec 28, 2004
Photo of bobinverted
Reviewed by bobinverted from Michigan

4/5  rDev -0.2%
As Mitchster said, Jack's Market is probably the best beer store in Traverse City. They don't carry everything, but they do have quite a variety for such a small, swill drinking town. Every thing can be purchased singly which is great for those of us who want to try new beers.
May 08, 2003
Photo of Mitchster
Reviewed by Mitchster from Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%
The best place to buy beer in TC...period. These guys have a really good selection (for TC anyway)..I would guess 200 craft/microbrews and your numerous macrobrews of course. The single best thing about Jack's is that they let you split the 6'ers, and their prices are very reasonable...they don't hose you when you break them up. They have a good selection of Irish, English, German, Belgian, American, and Canadian. The majority of the brews are refrigerated. They also sometimes specially order brews that the local distributor doesn't carry. I've been coming here since I was 21.

Patrick (the owner) knows his beer, liquor, and wine very well and is a stand-up guy. The other staff is moderate in their knowledge of beer, but they more than make up for it with their friendly attitude. They also have a hefty selection of liquors including specialty Tequilas, Vodkas, Scotch, Bourbon, etc.

If you need beer in TC, check this place out first
Feb 09, 2003
Jack's Market in Traverse City, MI
Place rating: 4.01 out of 5 with 17 ratings