Could Cape Cod handle an exclusively craft beer store?

I have wondered the same myself. As for as Cape Cod goes, the beer culture here is far behind other parts of the state. Boston, which is obviously the craft hub of the state basically gets everything leaving us with the short end of the stick distribution wise. It sucks, but what can one expect when well over half the population is old people who can barely drive.

Another factor to consider is that all the young people in general plan on, or already have left the area. Let's face it, when you have lived here your whole life the Cape is pretty much a death trap. It is way to expensive to live here, and there is no real opportunity to get a good job here even as a recent college grad such as myself. Young people are a very important demographic to the craft beer industry, but they all leave the Cape with no intention of ever coming back. I personally cannot wait to leave this place.

The economy is based off tourism in the summer, which only leaves a few months out of the year to make serious profits for any business around here. I seriously cannot for the life of me understand why so many people love to come here. Most of the beaches suck ass, the weather blows, there is too much traffic in the summer, and it gets worse each year. The Cape's infrastructure cannot handle the ever increasing number of people coming here and it really puts a lot of stress on us locals. In the winter it is pretty much dead, and there is nothing to do here. What is the point of sticking around?

Craft beer needs a dedicated year round costumer base and the Cape will never have that, especially considering that 3/4 of the young people will leave and never come back. It is full of old people who could care less about it, and the tourist come for the beaches, not beer. Let's face it, the Cape is a huge retirement home and tourist trap, not a craft beer paradise. Sorry if this sounded like a rant trashing the Cape, but as a young person it is really frustrating living here in general. Even more frustrating as a beer lover. There are a few good stores around here, but pale in comparison to stores off Cape.

 

That was an awesome post and 110% accurate.

 

I would think yes -and no. I would think that, depending on the exact area the store was in, it might make it as a summer only proposition. Tourist season and all that. However, I don't think there are enough year Rounders to make a go of it in the lean winter months.

 

It's extremely difficult to run the kind of store you are proposing anywhere. A place like Craft Beer Cellar is an extreme rarity. The vast majority of the better craft beer stores sell anything and everything that they can.

And for good reason too... why not carry some macros for the people that want them? You're still talking about 90% of the beer buying public, and it's not like you need to devote a ton of shelf space to them.

It's a romantic notion to eschew the BMC crowd and focus only on the high-end, but from a business perspective, it doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

You may very well sell some of the people in the store on something non-BMC, but the odds of them returning are small. Nobody converts completely away from BMC products with one craft 6-pack. So even though next time they may pick up another craft 6-pack, they're more apt to do it at a store where they can also get a 30 of Bud Light.

 

I'd consider Cisco and other canneries... Six point? Martin's belgian white? Baxter?

Craft cans seem to go very well with boats, beaches, and the ocean in general.

 

First. It would not be a cheap store.

The Cape/Islands are buffered by lower per capita towns. These areas struggle to sell anything premium unless at a deal. Past Plymouth you are relying on tourism for your sales. You would have to have a thoughtful wine and liquor selection to even give it a shot.

It is mentioned already but the Cape/Islands/Fall River/New Bedford is an extremely underdeveloped beer market. It will be 3+ years for them to catch up to the suburbs.

Also, BMC is only so bad. They will pay your rent and keep the lights on. They are trying. They can help in many ways. Just because you sell there products does not mean you have to support them.

 

It's so funny how two peoples vision of one place can be so different...archemedies...as we sat on the beach today acknowledging how lucky we felt to be able to live in such a wonderful place. Sometimes time away makes a difference. Us..we hope to never leave..but we did not grow up here...and may have a few years on you..tho we aren't old.

Ii can't disagree with much that has been said, the cape is highly seasonal and about 2-3 years behind most major metro areas..we moved here from phili...and admittedly miss Monk's more than any place else...the beer culture here is changing..albeit slowly...

There are lots of package stores with lots of growing selection...and people here are not ones to travel outside their regular triangle..ie most have been going to the same liquor store and grocery store for years..so you'd have to have a primo location..and like the rest of us you'd clearly be sucking wind in jan, feb, march and April ...

And We know for a fact that when grain and vine opened..and started focusing on craft and unique distilled pdts?.many were quick to follow....thus making it easier for that person who once was willing to drive a bit further able to go back to their old store...

Love the idea..not sure if now is the time for it.

Good luck..cheers!

 

Just curious, what do you typically recommend as a substitute to Bud Light Platinum?

 

the cape - excluding mv and nantucket - is diverse to say the least, so it depends where. a more chilled out/nice locale like the buzzards bay/no. falmouth area area (buzzards bay brewery??) would probably welcome something like that...i know i would.