Champane's Wine Cellars in Warren, MI

Interesting. I was just in there about 2 weeks ago and asked one of the guys (who I have always assumed to be a manager) what was going on. He said they were doing a big renovation and were getting rid of their stock to make it easier to do the re-build. He said they were cutting way back on liquor and would be focusing more on wine and beer moving forward. You'd think they'd have their employees on the same page with what's going on because I'm sure they're getting all sorts of questions. I feel like the shelves have been sparse for at least the last 2-3 months.

 

Opening that taproom inside the store was a big gamble, one that probably didn't pay off like they thought. What a shame, because this store was world-class as recent as of less than a year ago. I really hope this doesn't mean the end.

 

I've heard several different things about what was supposedly happening with the store.

Had a long chat with one of the owners back in December of last year and at that time, he said they were looking to move somewhere else. He mentioned the overhead costs of the current location being too costly.

I've also heard that they were thinking about splitting up the building for other tenants and decreasing the square footage that they operated out of.

During some recent trips, the normal cashier lady said they were just trimming down inventory and was very vague about the situation.

If they are closing down completely, that's a tough loss. I've been stopping by that store for at least 10 years.

 

I wonder what their overhead is. The parking lot is a total mess and has been for at least 10 years .

I am unsure if they turn the heat in the winter. Of course as cavernous as that place is I would not want to pay to heat it

 

I have been a supporter of Champanes for well over 15-20 years as well. It definitely looks like and has looked like for the last year the end of days for them. Obviously the employees really cannot talk about it to us and up till recently I believe they weren't even informed though most did suspect what was about to happen. After getting to know so many of these workers many of who have been there even longer than I shopped there I truly wish them all the best as many of these people have now reached an age where finding new employment will be quite challenging and frightening for them.

 

I've stopped there many times over the years, as it's near my family that I visit. I definitely noticed the bare shelves (especially in wine) over the last year or so. I find it interesting if they close down completely (without re-opening somewhere else), as it was at one point one of the most reliable places in the metro area for the combination of wine and beer.

 

Yeah, sad to see them go from an award-winning beer store with the best selection and prices in metro Detroit, to out of business. Although I heard more than a couple beer store guys from other stores say that while Champanes was cheap, they were TOO cheap. That while they cranked through inventory, they couldn't have been making much money with as small as their markup was. Great for customers, but not profitable for them.

 

As Meijer and other chains take on more beer and are willing to sell it at or below cost, the latter of which is illegal*, it gets harder for us independents to stay in business. So many folks are proud to support small beer, yet have no problems passing by the Mom 'n Pops on their way to the coolers in the big box stores.

*The Meijer in Ann Arbor was selling Arbor Brewing beers below cost back in March. The Allen Park store was selling Two Hearted almost a dollar below cost last year.

 

Selling beer below cost is illegal? ?

 

Yup.

http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-10570_14173---,00.html

 

I'll be honest I've lived in this area (close enough to shop there) for a little while and I've been disappointed everytime I've gone in there. Empty shelves, very dark and unfriendly space and unorganized. Sad to see any business close but I'm not surprised one bit.

 

Those price lists only cover spirits. As far as I know, Michigan doesn't set pricing for beer/wine. I've seen several "mom and pop" bottle shops sell old beer stock at below cost.

 

I stand corrected.

 

Where else could you stumble upon pallets of Ten Fiddy being blown out at $8/4pks, no limit?

 

Nice grab. I still have to stop by there this weekend. Not expecting much to be left over but it's worth once last visit to pay my respects to the ol' store.

Did you happen to notice if they still had a bunch of wooden wine boxes for sale?

 

That was about 2-3 yrs ago, I haven't been in since last year.

 

Well, thanks for the brief moment of excitement. I'll still be stopping by to see what's left in their clearance sale.

 

I wouldn't bother, I went in last night and there isn't enough left now to fill a Yugo's trunk. Everything is pretty much on one shelf now right at the registers. The sports arena has pretty much taken over the building and the owner is running the register and says maybe next summer he will reopen and just sell nuts like they used to but not really interested in the alcohol game anymore.