A guy walks into his LHBS...

[FedoraDave]

...and the guy asks him what he'd like. And he replies, "Oh, no, I just like being in the presence of beer-making merchandise."

Seriously, that's what I did this morning. I was the first and only customer there this morning, and I just decided to have some fun with them. The owner is a good guy, and he went along with it. He told me, "Yeah, that happens a lot. It's kind of annoying to have people just standing around."

I really like my LHBS.

[Chuck N]

I do that a lot at the Cabela's store. It's just so over-whelming. All those "toys" and not enough money to buy them all or enough time to play with them all.

[FedoraDave]

Yeah, I always walk around and look at stuff when they're filling my order, too. For the most part, I'm set for equipment, although I did pick up a growler filler today, so I can provide growlers of draft homebrew at remote locations.

I bought about $50 worth of grains, hops, and yeast, too. Enough for ten gallons of beer.

[John Sand]

My LHBS is for sale. I don't want to be a storekeeper, but I hope it stays open.

[Chuck N]

My LHBS is for sale. I don't want to be a storekeeper, but I hope it stays open.

I was talking to the guy that runs the LBHS that I go to. He doesn't actually own the store. The original owner died suddenly and he...I guess the best way I can describe it is he "runs" the store for the widow. Although she supposedly has no money in the inventory. Just owns the building and the name.

But anyway...

He told me if he didn't have so much invested in the store he'd get out five minutes ago. Between internet competition and the fact that Northern Brewer is just a little more than an hour away he barely makes enough to keep the lights on. I asked him why he doesn't buy out the widow and get in to a building of his own (the store is inside another store - a flooring shop of all things) but he said she refuses to sell. The store was her late husband's "baby" (he was a prolific home brewer and home wine maker) and she keeps it in his memory. And to open another store in town would just add to the competition problem.

[FedoraDave]

The difference with my LHBS is that this is owned and run by a fairly young guy who really knows beer and homebrewing. From snippets of conversation I've heard, he seems to be a pretty savvy businessman, too. It's a dedicated brew store, rather than something in the back of a hardware store, so they really cater to the hobby, including having classes, brew sessions for new brewers, and a willingness to talk about issues, problems, recipes, etc.

Also, there don't seem to be a lot of LHBS located in this area. Honestly, I have to drive a good 45 minutes to get to this place. But the high quality is definitely worth the trip.