What's going on with Craft Beer Cellar?

Will we see a misguided blog post again this week?

 

Beyond all the other reasons listed here regarding why CBCs may be struggling, this seems like a pretty big one. I frequent two packies (Bacon's in Hudson, Yankee Spirits in Swansea), and a stop in at a couple others around my city. Neither of these places are specialty shops. They sell cheap liquor. They sell nice liquor. They sell bud. But they also have great craft selection with reasonable turnover.

Basically, they're not really selling anything I can't get at these stores, but they also aren't selling cases of Bud Light Lime and fireball nips in case my cousins are visiting.

 

Stopped into Vinnin Liquors in Swampscott this weekend. Giant place with high and low end, but the craft selection was great. Prices fair and beer was fresh. Can’t ask for more except a better way in and out of the lot.

 

This whole saga is gross. I don't know about Suzanne's past but she went to freaking Harvard so more than likely she grew up affluent. So a white Harvard educted person is trying to play the discrimination card? Over and over and over again? I can't speak to their business practices, other than noting that it seemed like the franchises never got nearly as much of limited releases as the "mothership" did, but I will say their constant crying of discrimination diminishes the real concerns of much less privileged minorities and it's really gross.

 

lack of wine is another killer.

 

The lack of wines and liquor would be forgivable if they had such an insane variety of beers you cant get anywhere else.

I was shocked with the selection at Wegmans in Westwood. and they have wine, liquor and food to go.

 

The whole business model was flawed — ironically. Unless a CBC has access to unique beers - it doesn’t bring anything to the table for most consumers...in fact it brings less.

 

"Hi, welcome to our boutique beer shop where we have the same beers you can find at any other competent beer store but for more money because we're beer soldiers!"

 

To be fair I have gotten a decent number of bottles at CBC Belmont that can't be found at your average store (Cantillon, 3F, Tilquin, limited JK, etc)

 

That's fair, there are random occasions where they land a great bottle or two, but there are also other shops that get equal respect

 

Went to the Winchester Shop today 25% off everything. If you're looking for some good beers for cheap it's worth stopping in. (all IPAs are gone)

The most striking thing about that shop is how small it is. Probably 1/3 the size of the one I normally go to.

 

+1 on this is the only place ive found jester king and 3 fonteinen. it's basically the only thing I go there for. Recently they've been getting Burlington beer company stuff but I've seen it pop up elsewhere but in lesser frequency. I always feel dirty walking out of there now

 

Crafted in Holliston has Jester King.

 

I'm still very happy with my local store (Fenway). Great selection and friendly owners.

 

I feel awful that Jana and Phil are caught up in this whole thing. They're some of the nicest people I've met and clearly put 100% into their business.

 

Today's blog:
https://blog.craftbeercellar.com/bl...PkDqjQS24GyjWzRUzBNTx71CZuFt8Dcl5bFN9slEGcztY

Money Quote "Let us address Framingham, Sudbury, Portland and Brandon, first. Framingham and Sudbury were both involved in a territory dispute. We made a mistake. We brought in a partner to help us in the fold of a rapidly growing business. There were a lot of moving parts, things were happening at the speed of light and a small detail was left unchecked."
A small detail was left unchecked? The single biggest protection a franchisee has is their territory. To call that a small detail to someone who invested and opened a small business is pretty disgraceful.