Owning/Operating a Bottle Shop?

[glademaster]

Yeah, Belmont Station is part of the inspiration for the idea, I was surprised by how few businesses seem to be trying to make a go of the model. There are several locations in the greater metro area that seem ripe for this sort of business.

I think there is real potential here, it may not be a path to riches, but in the right setting, with the right business model, it's encouraging looking.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that place. I have friends that just bought a house a few blocks away.

I think it's a totally viable business, if done right, in the right location.

When there were only 10 breweries in Bend people would've (and probably did say) you'd be crazy to open the 11th. Now there are over 20.

When the third brewery in Bellingham was in the construction stage, people thought that this town was too small to support another brewery. Three years later there were 5, and the one I just mentioned opened a second location. Today we have 8, with 3 more on the way (one is Melvin's second location - stoked on that.)

There's a reason that once there's a gas station on one corner, competing gas stations attempt to get the other corners: competitive clustering. Businesses offering similar products or services located near one another will pull in more business as a whole than they would individually if spread out. Restaurants, bars, fashion, furniture, and hotels all follow this model. The various districts of Manhattan illustrate this pretty well.

So I don't buy the idea that drinking is "played out" or past its peak.

[Cono Este]

If your gonna move to greener pastures
Might as well grow bro

Quoted for truth.

Get in early.

[HappyCamper]

seconded for Chuck's Hop Shop. First one was in Greenwood - nothing nearby it, busy street, spartan interior. Yet seemingly always packed.

Maybe take a road trip north and see if the owner is willing to give you a few minutes of insight? Probably more learned in a 5 minute chat than hours online.

[fatnslow]

Yeah, Belmont Station is part of the inspiration for the idea, I was surprised by how few businesses seem to be trying to make a go of the model. There are several locations in the greater metro area that seem ripe for this sort of business.

I think there is real potential here, it may not be a path to riches, but in the right setting, with the right business model, it's encouraging looking.

Tough to compete with a "brewery " on every corner is Portland with high rent these days. I think Beermonger is trying something a bit different with a large collection of bottles as well as on tap but not much difference between a regular bar. It'll be tough to stay open selling $6 pints WITHOUT food when there's a bar /brewery/restaurant on every corner close in.

[Ted Striker]

^^^ true that. The location/plan has to work in a way that doesn't pit you head to head with an established business with deeper pockets. It has to be unique and/or symbiotic on some level.