I'm just wondering if anyone's been to this place yet. Ombibulous Liquor just opened at 949 E Hennepin in Minneapolis. They only carry products in Minnesota, but even then it's limited. That is, no Grain Belt, no Surly, and no Summit Extra Pale Ale (though they do stock the Unchained Series). They also carry MN Craft Spirits and MN Wines. As I understand it, they sell individual cans and bottles so you can easily mix and match. It's an interesting concept and might work as they'll be able to have shelf space for breweries that are having difficulty getting in elsewhere. It's near me, so I look forward to checking them out. Any reviews or thoughts?
According to their web site and an article in City Pages, that is intentional. From their web site: "We love Surly Brewing Company and August Schell Brewing Company! They are amazing MN beer makers! As we get started we are focusing on making room for small breweries because we are a small, neighborhood store. We welcome all MN Makers and we will be bringing in their specialty and seasonal beers as space and demand allows! In stock we do have Summit Brewing Company unchained series."
Ahh, I get it now. So, they'll probably carry Darkness, for an example of a Surly product and, hopefully, the Noble Star series from Schell's. That's a plus.
I wonder if the owners bothered to talk to Jason Alvey about how well things work out when you specialize too much in a product. Also, my apologies for not having a silhouette for a profile pic in this thread but I did drink one last weekend if that's worth anything.
I doubt they'd get Darkness if they don't support the regular line-up FYI my silhouette is facing the right way
Well, Four Firkins had issues other than specialization, IIRC. And, they were specializing in craft beer, correct? Whereas, Ombibulous is specializing in MN beer, wine, and spirits, a broader portfolio of product types that should attract a broader customer base. Given the move to buying local, I think they have a shot. Too bad they are so far from me. Ha ha! Nice!
I truly wish them the best of luck and hope that I'm wrong but I'm willing to bet I can buy a lot of the same products less than a mile down the road at Surdyk's. Add in that Surdyk's (or any other store for that matter) can replicate their business model in-house with a sign and some dedicated shelf space, that's going to be an awfully steep hill to compete against. It's a nice idea if they carry enough unique product that most other stores don't or won't but I can't imagine the mark up margins are there to be fully sustainable in the long run. This isn't even counting that those other stores have all that out-of-state product and volume to help support their business model. I didn't major in business nor have I ever tried to run one, so maybe I'm just blowing hot air here. As a consumer though if I can find the same product at a cheaper cost with more convenience, I know where I'm plunking my money down. That's what they're going to have to compete against to ultimately be successful because novelty will only get you so far before someone else figures out how to duplicate your premise and try to do it better than you.
Well, there's no Total Domination nearby so they have that going for them. There are a half dozen less specifically focused liquor stores not too far from them, and I can see those as being complimentary to their all-Minnesota selection when the need arises. Anything booze related in Northeast Minneapolis is at least viable for the short run (if not always wildly successful in the long run), and I'm a bit surprised that it's taken so long for a shop like this to open.
Stopped in last week. It's a short walk from my apartment which is nice. It's a small space but they had quite a good selection. The owner was friendly, I will definitely be giving them some business.
Some thoughts from having worked in the specialty alcohol business for the past four years (in no particular order): 1.) You can't dictate what your costumers want to buy. 2.) Carrying items most stores don't stock is very dicey at best. These items aren't carried, because they don't sell well. 3.) Minnesota law doesn't allow any store/bar to have exclusivity of any product (this includes Total Wine). 4.) 2007 was a long time ago. Every store in the Twin Cities carries craft products in this day and age. 5.) Convenience is the number one reason people choose to shop at a liquor store; the vast majority of people aren't going to make two stops when they could make one. 6.) Costumer service goes a long way. However, hand selling a $8-10 beer costs as much in labor as hand selling a $30-40 bottle of gin, or a $60-200 bottle of Scotch (not that they're allowing themselves that ability); you have to make choices sometimes. I genuinely wish them the best of luck, but it looks to me like they have a steep learning curve ahead of them.
