Ready to turn your passion for delicious brews into a profitable small business?
Opening a beer store can be fun (and lucrative), but like any business venture, you need a solid plan.
In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about how to open a beer store — from securing the right type of license to standing out from the big-box competition.
First, you need to understand the laws and regulations regarding the sale of beer.
The federal government prohibits the sale of any alcoholic beverages to customers under 21, but your state likely has additional laws about beer sales. Here are a few examples:
Make sure to check with your state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) commission or similar authority, thoroughly research state and local laws, and make a compliance plan to prevent costly legal issues.
All states require you to have a license to sell beer — but figuring out what kind of license you need can be tricky.
Here are a few of the most common license types and how they differ:
Competition for licenses can be strict in some states, and some states even have lotteries and auctions for licenses. Other states have lengthy, complex application processes. To avoid licensure-related delays, we recommend starting this process as early as possible.
Pro tip: This is the perfect time to file other essential paperwork to start your beer store. Secure business insurance, establish your store as a sole proprietorship or limited liability company (LLC), and apply for any other general retail permits required by your state and city.
Why should customers choose your beer store? Having a clear answer to this question is crucial.
In other words, you need a unique value proposition (UVP) that outlines how you plan to meet customers’ needs and set your business apart from the competition.
Start by visiting other beer retailers in your neighborhood — from local breweries to the beer aisle of your nearby supermarket. Take note of what they’re doing well and where they fall short.
Your beer store should fill the gap left by these competitors to ensure you’re offering customers something unique.
For example, if you’re surrounded by boutique breweries with high prices, you might offer a better selection of popular beers at lower prices. If your only nearby beer retailers are big-box chains, you might have more success with a handpicked selection of specialty beers at premium prices.
Now, let’s crunch the numbers. When it comes to financing your beer store, the last thing you want to be is surprised — so it’s critical to have an accurate estimate of your startup and ongoing costs.
The major expenses to get your beer store up and running include:
After accounting for expenses like rent, utilities, labor, and marketing, you can expect to spend between $50,000 and $100,000 to start your beer store.
Related Read: How To Secure Liquor Store Financing [+ Top Solutions]
You’ve secured your beer license and financed your business — now it’s time to take concrete steps toward opening your beer store.
Sufficient foot traffic is essential for steady sales, so look for a location that’s easily visible and accessible. While center-city and corner spaces will be more expensive, they may be worth it in terms of extra sales.
After you’ve found the perfect spot, turn it into the perfect beer shopping experience. Install reliable coolers so customers can grab ice-cold single beers, curate fun beer-themed decor, and invest in high-quality speakers and lighting to create the right atmosphere.
It’s time to get your beer store set up with the right equipment.
Before making your first sale, you need a point of sale (POS) system. This powerful tool lets you ring up customers and accept payments — but that’s not all.
A POS system designed for beer stores should include other helpful features like:
Starting with an all-in-one, fully-featured beer store POS from day one will ensure smoother operations and more sales opportunities.
Let’s face it: You can’t compete against big-box retailers and convenience stores on price.
However, you can provide customers with the best selection in town.
While you should still carry popular imports and domestics, we recommend crafting a curated selection of beers that shoppers can’t find anywhere else. Specialize in craft brews, IPAs, or local beers from nearby breweries.
Pro tip: Take a seasonal approach to stocking your beer store. Every time customers stop by, they should be surprised and delighted by new options, like crisp ciders in the fall and hearty stouts in the winter.
Ready to make your first sale? Your final step is to attract customers.
Get the word out about your grand opening by building a social media presence, claiming your Google Business Profile, or hanging an “Opening Soon!” banner outside your store. Offering a grand opening discount can also help you bring your first customers through the door.
From there, your goal should be customer retention. You want these one-time customers to become loyal to your beer store, relying on you for all their beverage needs.
The best way to accomplish this is by launching a loyalty program. Every time customers make a purchase, they’ll earn points — which they can later redeem for special perks, discounts, or even free beers.
Your POS system should make it easy to set up your program, customize the rewards structure, enroll new members, and track loyalty points and rewards.
Congratulations! Now you know how to open a beer store, and you’re ready to take the first steps toward small business success.
The journey won’t be easy — but you don’t have to take it alone. We’ve designed an all-in-one POS solution to help you launch, manage, and grow your beer store: Bottle POS.
Bottle POS includes features like built-in age verification, beer inventory tracking, in-depth reporting and analytics, marketing tools, and more to help you conquer your biggest challenges. Plus, our team of beer and liquor industry experts is available around the clock to help you make the most of your new POS system.
Discover how Bottle POS fits into your beer store business plan with our build and price tool.