Tired Hands (June 2017)

I think they were just tired of having the bartenders devote time to also trying to be point of sale for everything. They are still making more money per bottle instead of going into any kind of distro as well. I love that you can just hit that store up for bottles and cans now, I'm rarely going to either place to drink or eat there these days and just want stuff to go. Here I am already wishing it was more than just HopHands but it's definitely a step in the right direction. From what I saw signage wise at the Ferm all bottles were on site consumption only, nothing for sale. Plus can you just imagine walking up to the cafe bar and trying to buy a synth????

 

I would really like to see the general store start to sell food stuff as well. I would definitely purchase the housemade pickles, bread, and mustard. Hopefully that is on the horizon. They did mention that they will be producing a lot more bottles at the dispensary and at the cafe very soon as well, I guess depending on how long they age them for. To me that is the most exciting part about it

 

The need for a dedicated space to sell synths is clearly the driver behind the General Store, bottles and cans are a nice perk though.

 

I thought it was so they could call the area a "Campus"?

 

I have to agree about the lack of need/sustainability for the general store. As of right now, there is nothing they can do there (except sell the synths I guess...) that they couldn't have done by adding a cooler and maybe a few extra shelves to the ferm and adding 1-2 people to the ferm staffing on a given day to just be in charge of selling bottles, cans, merch to go.

Maybe that would have made the ferm too croweded at certain times? Not sure, but having an entire storefront just seems like overkill to me. That said, I enjoyed stopping in and easily grabbing bottles and a 4 pack of hophands sunday evening and TH seems to know what they're doing when it comes to making money...

 

When I went to the General Store on opening weekend they told me that they had a challenge with their licenses that would allow them to sell things that are not specifically brewery related (i.e. cheeses, local meats, mustard, etc.). I believe they found out pretty late into the development of the General Store which is why they moved forward with the items they have available now. I imagine they would be working on trying to work to add additional licenses to further expand the store's product selection - not sure how long that process would take though.

 

The Ferm is already a madhouse on can release days as it is. And if they're selling 20 cases of Hop Hands every day from the general store, along with the other bottles I have to imagine that covers costs well enough.

 

If/when they do this, it would make more sense to me.

 

I certainly agree with that statement as regards revenue/sales.

I do not know enough about their business operations to comment further.

Cheers!

 

Was just at the General Store and was pleasantly surprised to see some Alien Church 4-packs in the bottom of the cooler. There were only about 10. One 4-pack limit. Canned 6/8 so I guess they pulled some from last week.

 

So, guessing they will add Pineal after tonight's release? Baby steps...

 

It is entirely possible that they entered or created the market at the right time that they are making money despite themselves.

This is the place that opened a second brewery blocks from the first. The Ferm and Cafe fight for the same customers... And now the General Store will make it so some don't even have to walk in and think about getting a draft and some food.

#strangedecisions

 

Can I show at 645 and get a full allotment today?

 

I hope cause that's what I'm doing. Been boycotting lines for a while now hoping to be in and out.

 

I think so but don't hold me to that.

 

I think the growler line at the Cafe for the Creamsicle Milkshake is longer than the can line.

 

I personally viewed this as they wanted to expand the brewery (Cafe) but for limitations of the structure they needed to obtain a second building nearby. That makes sense to me.

I have no rationalization for the General Store at the moment.

Cheers!

 

Not really understanding the criticism of the general store...seems to be providing everyone with what they want in a pretty chilled out way. Walk in and get cans of HopHands any day of the week (except Monday ), easy access to bottles and merchandise, AND it offers a point-of-sale respite for both the Café and the Fermentaria, each of which are maxed out on space. I believe the idea is to eventually offer meat and cheese from local purveyors that are featured at both restaurants.

It's like visiting the gift shop after you go on the roller coaster.

 

Too logical...reported.

 

All valid points. I think some are just questioning the financial sustainability of it.

One cool thing about the General Store that I learned today after my first visit - they had two beers on tap from local breweries. I got to try my first Forrest & Main beer.