Wine Barrel: new liquor in the old Santander Bank building

Great to hear. Thanks for the update.

Good news.

how the hell is a liquor store going to attract any less or more crime than an abandoned building?

Robert_Casotto said:
how the hell is a liquor store going to attract any less or more crime than an abandoned building?

While I think there is an argument that some businesses would attract more crime than an abandoned building, I certainly don't think that will be the case here. I envision this as a thriving business that brings more people to SA, is highly visible, and may even become a new anchor for the Avenue. I'm guessing there will be folks coming to the store who haven't ventured to SA in years.

jeffl said:
There was a meeting last night at DeHart about the new liquor store. The owner described his goal as making the store as much like The Wine Library as possible. He's making a huge investment and fully intends to make his patrons happy. He said that he will be carrying craft beers (more than they stock at The Wine Library), spirits and wines. He will not sell single beers.
There were four people who opposed the store but by the end of the meeting it was clear that their purpose was to try to get the owners to commit to a higher end store, without banners, without neon lights, etc. They were upset that they weren't noticed about the store before it was approved but Vic explained that noticing neighbors is not required when a retail store takes over a building zoned for retail.
I would say that everyone else in attendance (maybe 7 of us) were fully supportive of the store.
I thought that Vic was masterful at keeping the tone of the meeting positive while explaining the law and the current process.
I think this store is going to be hugely successful.
Edited: And to answer other posts above, he said that he is investing $1MM in the store and that the drive through is (or will be) gone. He agreed to turn his lights off earlier than he originally intended, if the neighbors were bothered by them. He said that would just save him money.

You didn't mention that I was there ...

But, yeah, what jeffl said ... Owners seem like real nice folks with a plan.

Soul_29 said:

jeffl said:
There was a meeting last night at DeHart about the new liquor store. The owner described his goal as making the store as much like The Wine Library as possible. He's making a huge investment and fully intends to make his patrons happy. He said that he will be carrying craft beers (more than they stock at The Wine Library), spirits and wines. He will not sell single beers.
There were four people who opposed the store but by the end of the meeting it was clear that their purpose was to try to get the owners to commit to a higher end store, without banners, without neon lights, etc. They were upset that they weren't noticed about the store before it was approved but Vic explained that noticing neighbors is not required when a retail store takes over a building zoned for retail.
I would say that everyone else in attendance (maybe 7 of us) were fully supportive of the store.
I thought that Vic was masterful at keeping the tone of the meeting positive while explaining the law and the current process.
I think this store is going to be hugely successful.
Edited: And to answer other posts above, he said that he is investing $1MM in the store and that the drive through is (or will be) gone. He agreed to turn his lights off earlier than he originally intended, if the neighbors were bothered by them. He said that would just save him money.

You didn't mention that I was there ...
But, yeah, what jeffl said ... Owners seem like real nice folks with a plan.

My apologies, Soul. And I thank you for it. We were Courter Strong! And then Liberty Tavern Strong!

I can't wait. 100+ craft beers!

#courterstrong

Does this guy have an email where we can request he carry certain beers? Unlike the wine library which claims they will carry requests but when you actually request something they say no

I don't know his email address but could try to get it. He sounded like he is going to bend over backwards to accommodate these kind of requests. But maybe Hank Zona knows how these things work. Does a store generally stick with one distributor who may or may not have certain products?

At any rate, after the store opens, I'm certain you can just ask the owner. He said that he is going to be in the store whenever its open.

Robert_Casotto said:
Does this guy have an email where we can request he carry certain beers? Unlike the wine library which claims they will carry requests but when you actually request something they say no

Dont worry me and that guy are gonna be best buds

Looking forward to it! There's an Italian wine that I love that no one seems to carry around here - maybe this store could get it in. (it's a wonderful rose from Piedmont by Proprieta Sperino - a rosa del rosa, btw)

If he can get Antarctica Beer I would be impressed (I don't think it's possible).

I just read on Facebook that the Wine Barrel is now open!

https://m.facebook.com/groups/SOMabusinessfriends/permalink/737591746373598/

 My husband checked it out, and he was pleasantly surprised at the prices. He said that the owner was still putting out stock, but that the selection seemed decent. I'll be checking it out tomorrow.  

Cool!

meganlibrarian said:

I just read on Facebook that the Wine Barrel is now open!

https://m.facebook.com/groups/SOMabusinessfriends/permalink/737591746373598/


 My husband checked it out, and he was pleasantly surprised at the prices. He said that the owner was still putting out stock, but that the selection seemed decent. I'll be checking it out tomorrow.  ">

So exciting!!

As I understand it there are not a lot of distributors. They are limited in the same way that liquor licenses are: that is, there is a relatively small number of them, controlled by some statute and licensing scheme.

My son, who works for a brewery, tells me that in the business there's work to do to convince the distributor to make room on the trucks, exclude some of the guaranteed-to-sell stuff like Bud and Coors, and take a shot at carrying a craft beer or a smaller-batch offering.

I hope for the day when I go into a bar and find that there's so many good beers available that they don't even feel the need to carry Coors and Bud.

jeffl said:

I don't know his email address but could try to get it. He sounded like he is going to bend over backwards to accommodate these kind of requests. But maybe Hank Zona knows how these things work. Does a store generally stick with one distributor who may or may not have certain products?

At any rate, after the store opens, I'm certain you can just ask the owner. He said that he is going to be in the store whenever its open.

Robert_Casotto said:
Does this guy have an email where we can request he carry certain beers? Unlike the wine library which claims they will carry requests but when you actually request something they say no

Im not sure about beer distribution as much as I am about wine...there are many wine wholesalers/distributors. Like any businesses some are small, some are big, and then there are the dominant 800 pound gorilla type operations....and guess what they constantly try to do? Control distribution and shelf space and customer selection. If there is ever legislation that tries to shut out small players, theres a great chance its being funded by the huge distributors. I think its bad for a retailer or restaurant to work with only one or with only the big ones...then what is in stock will look like a lot of places. I give credit to Sid at Village Wine because he took over a business largely reliant on large distributors and started bringing in wines from smaller boutique wholesalers. Its a risk if the typical customer base comes in looking for name stuff...it takes a more passionate and knowledgeable staff to sell unfamiliar labels but he is succeeding. Someone asked me what I think the Wine Barrel will carry....I said they will carry what people buy, so whatever the safest bets are if the typical customer doesn't really want the different and unusual as we always say we want from our local businesses.

gerardryan said:

As I understand it there are not a lot of distributors. They are limited in the same way that liquor licenses are: that is, there is a relatively small number of them, controlled by some statute and licensing scheme.

My son, who works for a brewery, tells me that in the business there's work to do to convince the distributor to make room on the trucks, exclude some of the guaranteed-to-sell stuff like Bud and Coors, and take a shot at carrying a craft beer or a smaller-batch offering.

I hope for the day when I go into a bar and find that there's so many good beers available that they don't even feel the need to carry Coors and Bud.

jeffl said:

I don't know his email address but could try to get it. He sounded like he is going to bend over backwards to accommodate these kind of requests. But maybe Hank Zona knows how these things work. Does a store generally stick with one distributor who may or may not have certain products?

At any rate, after the store opens, I'm certain you can just ask the owner. He said that he is going to be in the store whenever its open.

Robert_Casotto said:
Does this guy have an email where we can request he carry certain beers? Unlike the wine library which claims they will carry requests but when you actually request something they say no

Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

http://villagegreennj.com/business/newly-opened-wine-barrel-maplewood-announces-holiday-hours/

Would someone please report back on the single bottle beer selection?  Thanks.

Steve said:

Would someone please report back on the single bottle beer selection?  Thanks.

I thought they said that they wouldn't sell single bottles?

Not sure, but singles (as opposed to "40s") are frequently sold at room temperature, so it wouldn't raise the same concerns.

Just paid my first visit ... They've done a great job with the space! I think that it's going to be a terrific addition to The Avenue  and the town ...

For singles, there were a couple Chimay's and maybe five others (an Ommegang, a chocolate stout...). 

They are clearly not stocked up fully. They want people to come in and tell them what you want so they can customize their orders. There were many Southern Tiers, some Ballast Point, a few others I hadn't heard of. Picked up a six of Dominion Double D. 

sac said:

Steve said:

Would someone please report back on the single bottle beer selection?  Thanks.

I thought they said that they wouldn't sell single bottles?

Sounds good   I'll have to check it out  

As of today, Wine Barrel is selling "make your own 6-packs." The gentleman helping me  told me that he hadn't been able to get all the labels up for each individual bottle's price, as people were buying them too quickly for him to get in there. The selections aren't a fraction of the size of (for example) Total Wine's "make your own 6-pack" options, but the Wine Barrel is also a fraction of Total Wine's size.  For its first few hours, I was pretty darn happy with their options.  To quote the Red Stripe commercial from a few years back: "HOORAY BEER!"  

sac said:

Steve said:

Would someone please report back on the single bottle beer selection?  Thanks.

I thought they said that they wouldn't sell single bottles?

I think there are two types of single bottles: those kept cold for immediate drinking (your stereotypical brown bag purchase), and those that are often more random, not always cold, and/or larger format.  The latter can be more expensive (some up to $20/per) and not what I think folks were initially concerned about.

Soul_29 said:

Just paid my first visit ... They've done a great job with the space! I think that it's going to be a terrific addition to The Avenue  and the town ...

Agreed.

Was just there yesterday and the same thing.  I was looking something other than the usual wines I  drink and the guys were very helpful.  The parking is also a big plus compare to some of the other stores in the area.

ctrzaska said:

Soul_29 said:

Just paid my first visit ... They've done a great job with the space! I think that it's going to be a terrific addition to The Avenue  and the town ...

Agreed.

You are a little off-base here.  They have a selection of mixed 6-pack beer in the rear of the store (on shelves, not in the coolers).  Here's what I picked up for my 6-er, these ranged from $1.69 to $2.49 per.  Also, they mentioned they may start getting Sixtel kegs.  Might even be able to get those from guys like Kane and Carton.

ctrzaska said:

I think there are two types of single bottles: those kept cold for immediate drinking (your stereotypical brown bag purchase), and those that are often more random, not always cold, and/or larger format.  The latter can be more expensive (some up to $20/per) and not what I think folks were initially concerned about.