Total Wine open in Natick, some killer (intro?) prices

No they don't. I went last night to the opening. While they have a large selection, the minuscule amount of beer kept cold is laughable and frustrating. And what beers are kept in the cooler are random. With such limited cooler space, why do I see Imperial Stouts in there??

Good prices though. Off the top of my head, JA sixers were $8.49. Kiwi Rising $4.49. My 6 pack of Larry was $7.79...

 

I also tried to get a sense of whether or not the prices I saw were grand-opening sale prices. But I didn't see any mention of that. They look to be the standard prices going forward.

 

If our store is the model their prices will be some of the best around, but not by much. As to the second question of freshness I have a hard time finding any of the 5 or 6 IPA's I would buy that are 2 months old or less with many being 6 months old.

 

I'm planning on stopping in to check it out, but likely my buying habits won't change - I'll stick with Julio's and CBC for beer, and Fifth Avenue for wine - we've been going there for years, they have minimal turnover in staff and they really know what they are talking about. I would rather spend a bit more money at a locally owned store or group.

 

Their model is to come in low, convert customers and over time ramp up the prices. Freshness is a big concern, with the big mix they have they don't turn product as fast and you will be seeing old stuff.

 

Because some people only buy cold things and like to buy imperial stouts.

 

FWIW i know a couple places up that way that have the same price for SN pale ale & even torpedo 12s

 

I stopped in today.

Good liquor & wine selections. The beer was well priced but the selection was limited to mostly national brands and a smaller selection of New England breweries.

Feels like Kappys if they were across a dozen or so states.

 

Buddy of mine in Raleigh loves Total Wine because you can order from the website and pickup in store. I see that option isn't yet available for Natick. I wonder if it will be at some point or if we have some obscure law in puritan MA that doesn't allow for that.

 

11.99 in MA? I see that in other states, but never here.

 

It is allowed in Massachusetts. Yankee spirits offers web ordering and in store pickup. Yankee also offers free delivery on orders over $350 in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Middlesex counties.

 

liquor junction in reading.

 

I'll have to check that out.

 

e. woburn package on montvale by lord hobo ocasionally does specials on torpedo for $12/12pk too.

 

It seems to be the current "get people in the store" Thanksgiving price, Julios has Sierra Nevada 11.99/12 as well

 

Allagash White 4-pack for $7? Usually I see it for closer to $11.

 

What brands did you not see that you'd like to have seen?

 

I was looking for Alesmith when I visited - no luck. I also felt like I didn't see much in the way of beers from Belgium and Germany. But full disclosure, I found the organization of the single-bottle area a bit confusing so I may not have noticed them...thinking of brands like Ayinger, Weihenstephaner, Mahr's, Trappists other than Spencer, or any wilds like Drie Fonteinen, Tilquin, etc.

 

East Gate in Wilmington often does too (Ipswich as well for that matter).

Unlike Liquor Junction they don't otherwise have a particularly broad selection though.