Four Firkins

Seeing as that is the case, why stop at only five stores unless the plan is only to compete with a smaller franchise operation like The Cellars? I mean, there are more than five suburbs, eh? And the Twin Cities metro area is always growing*.

Likewise, I understand the criticism for the method being used for this expansion, but considering the praise that the Four Firkins has received over the years (it outweighs the criticism, in the main) I am surprised that investors haven't been lined-up for years, just clamoring to franchise off of Jason Alvey's original store and concept!

Good luck to him, all the same.

*Not growing at the same, amazing rate as the Craft Beer market, but you get the idea.

 

Considering what little amount you get in return for plunking down a medium/large/huge amount of cash........it's still a better deal than Green Bay Packers stock certificates

 

At least with the Packers you get to at least pretend you're an "owner"...

 

This is one of my biggest problems with this deal - now everyone who doesn't "pay" will have a lower chance of getting rare releases at a store where the chances were already low. Liquor Barrel, here I come...

 

I would like to say, though, that as much as I'm not quite on board with this crowdfunding, I'm still going to shop there. I get a good experience, some tastings, often find something I'm not necessarily looking for, and they have a great build your own six pack that I can't do at most places (that I'm aware of) in the southwest suburbs.

I don't shop there often (every month or two), but I'll continue to do so as it makes sense to do so.

 

I am going to start asking friends and relatives to help me fund a large down payment on a lake cabin. For $1000, they can pick two nights to stay at said cabin a year, but they will have to provide their own transportation, food and drinks.

Of the few times that I have shopped there, I have always had the feeling I wasn't good enough. Kind of like a clique.

 

Looks like it has now passed $11k. Apparently there are a number of people out there highly enthused about the opportunity to have their name "forever be immortalized" on a (likely) small plaque in a beer store, where no one except themselves will ever read it. A fool and his money…...

 

What? Hey, hello, everyone!

This morning when I woke up and saw we were at $11k quite a few emotions ran through me. Mostly, I am scared we don't disappoint those people who have so much faith in us. I also find it amazing how I thought I've been humbled in the past, and this blows it out of the water. It's crazy.

I can understand how some people would think this is a money grab from an already successful company. Truth is, we could open a new store in a few more years without doing this, but the landscape is changing quickly in Minnesota and we need to act now. We simply don't have the funds to do it. The second store will open new revenue to accelerate more stores - we won't be doing another Indiegogo for store #3.

In a nutshell, we have many full timers who currently work at the Firkins. FT people cost a lot of money. It's a business decision we made a long time ago because we want to hire a base of valuable people who view the Firkins as a career. It has also made the business not nearly as profitable as it could be, and growth is slow. The second store will allow us to hire more part timers - people who are beer enthusiasts, but may not want to work retail all their lives.

To the point of the incentives not being "worth it": no, they aren't worth the actual dollar amount people are giving. We are not looking to break even. We are looking to make a down payment. People who are giving us money are not looking for a deal, they want to help us out, and we need creative ways to sweeten the pot and still make money.

Look at it this way. Monday, we received Black Note. It is our policy to not hold bottles for regulars because we have so many people we consider friends, it would be impossible. We likewise don't allow employee purchases of rare beer like that. So when we put all of our Black Note out Monday morning, without announcing it anywhere on social media, we still had a steady stream of people walking in and purchasing their two bottle limit, and only that. I didn't recognize 95% of them, they were not regular customers. It was gone in less than an hour, probably before noon. I would like a fair right for someone who cares enough about the Firkins to get the opportunity for rare beer, and still have a bit left over for those people who magically know we have something like that.

In fact, if you have any good ideas for incentives, we can still add them! (No, you can't get a hug from Alvey every time you come in the store. Only I get that.)

To anyone who has given to us: thank you so much. We knew we would get some criticism from this, but we hope you understand we are retailers who are passionate about beer, and we want to bring this to as many people as possible. We aren't a faceless corporation who just wants all your money. We want more education, more consumer rights, and more people who actually care about the customer. In a few years the landscape will be very different. We need to get a foothold now.

I hope I answered any questions you may have. Thanks again, you don't know how much this means to us!
-Bryan

 

With all do respect, when a company is looking to expand before they can meet the financial constraints they normally look for investors. Meaning additional shareholders who inject cash. Cash that gives them ownership by virtue of shares. I guess that's not how it works anymore?

 

Can I do a body shot off Alvey everytime I come in, wait, never mind.

 

... measured by their willingness to pay for that privilege, not how "regular" they have otherwise been. There is no way around the fact that you are now monetizing the rarity factor. Certainly it is a tough situation. This is just a new and disturbing way to deal with it.

I am afraid you are right...

 

So if I understand FF correctly, they need this free money because they overpay salaries by having many full time employees and they need to expand now because FF fears large liquor stores are coming into MN and customers will realize their prices are often higher and go elsewhere. Not good enough reasons for me but if others want to give away their money that's their choice.

Also, if FF didn't like that 95% of the Black Note went to non-regular customers, just have your regular customers sign a request list when they ask for rare beers and give them 1 bottle like many other stores. Truck chasers mostly eliminated. Problem solved.

 

Couple ideas for ya (I'd view these as all relatively low $$ ones):
- the right to pick 1 or a few "premixed six packs" for that spot in the cooler
- you get to "host" one of the free night tastings at the store (pick the beers within reason, and pour them for the folks)

 

They are admitting a failed business model by hiring to many full time employees. They can't afford to expand without the communities help. And they are going to stock the Woodbury store with part-time employees. Did i miss anything?

 

Still laughable

Expand your business without asking for handouts dont care how you spin it

 

tl;dr

To our loyal followers - unfortunately, we've had to hire individuals to sell you beer at our stores. This is the unfortunate reality of running a business, as robot technology has not yet progressed to the point of our being able to facilitate automated, labor-cost-free beer sales.

Our crowd-funding campaign was created because we want to make a lot more money selling you beer at additional locations.

This pursuit of an expanded market share, and additional revenue, is why we're soliciting donations from you, our loyal customers. Please note, however, that there will be no real benefit attached to your donation.

For those who have taken issue with the various incentives for donations, we'd be happy to entertain suggestions for bumper stickers, pins, and other relatively valueless items that we can use to incent you to donate.

 

Star Tribune had that beer finder. Maybe they can replace a few guys with that. Just throw a beard on a computer and it's good to go.

 

Beer has low margins. As a "specialty beer store" FF is not privy to enjoy margins from sales of liquor and wine.

Perhaps a change to the business model would be a more proper way to raise funds for your new location? You can still be a destination beer store, but with products that can help turn a profit...

 

Thanks for showing up, but the long post isn't terribly illuminating. There is still no excuse for "holding" beer for people who are willing to throw money at you. It's an appalling, anti-community precedent, & the Firkins should be ashamed of itself.

I'm sure they won't miss me, but the Firkins has permanently lost this customer.

 

LOL.

What has he done to deserve his expertise?