Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/41523
interest in craft beers by adding such region- al favorites as Dogfish Head, Annapolis' own Fordham Brewing and DuClaw of Abingdon, Md. And of course, "we're finally getting ready for Fat Tire." Bay Ridge's beer offerings are deep, comprising all the major domestic brands (above), as well as major imports and a wide selection of craft brews (below). Though customer service is paramount in the store, Ferrar insisted there are no particu- lar secrets on the hiring side. "When we inter- view, we look for people that we like," who have some relevant experience, he said. He's been patient on some key hires: his current general manager he first encountered years ago as a waiter who moved on to a rival wine shop before eventually becoming available to Bay Ridge. "We deal with personalities – and hon- esty – and we can train them," Ferrar said. He feels the industry does a good job making information available on brands and styles, and employees go to tastings and visit wineries, though Bay Ridge doesn't go in for formal classroom training for its staff. Political Activity T found himself intrigued by the overtones of sherry in the smell. If it weren't for that happy accident, "I never would have tasted the Scotch," he said. The store does have one quirk in its spirits selec- tion: "Annapolis is a huge rum town," thanks to all the nautical activity there, Ferrar indicated. "A drinking town with a sailing problem," he jokes. So the sailboaters are served with a huge selection of rums, and Annapolis has garnered the status of being one of the nation's biggest Mount Gay markets. Five miles inland that brand is virtually not sold, Ferrar notes. Bay Ridge also has become increasingly seri- ous about its beer selection, which now exceeds 1,300 sku's. The store started with conventional domestic premium offerings like Bud, Miller and Coors and popular imports like Heineken and Corona, but has ridden the wave of burgeoning hough his accomplishments prove he has a diplomat's tact when need- ed, Ferrar doesn't mince words on how far the liquor business has to go. "The liquor industry is probably the most primitive industry in this country," he declares. It's difficult to get information on brands, state and local laws often are antiquated and "half of the retailers in this country think it's 1952." Distributors are not so far advanced either, he added. Aided by the fact that he lives just a few blocks from the legislature, Ferrar spends 60 to 90 days a year involved in government activities. If, as Woody Allen once put it, 90% of life is just showing up, that alone would assure Ferrar of a fair amount of influence. But that's been compounded by his nat- ural political instincts as well as the goodwill he's accumulated among other liquor store operators for the time he's put in on their behalf. He's been pres- ident of the Anne Arundel County Licensed Beverage Association five times, president of the Maryland State Licensed Beverage Association, and the Wholesalers Retailers Association of Maryland, and just was inducted to a two-year term as presi- dent of the 20,000-member American Beverage Licensees, a major national organization based in nearby Bethesda. For Ferrar, the work he's done to broaden opportunities for wine and spirits retailers in 24 • Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • September/October 2011