danimalarkey wrote:Another article (albeit an older one from Aug. 2007), with a pretty in-depth blow-by-blow with what happened between the two brothers:
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20070801/sp ... heirs.html

Unbelievable (and yet totally believable) story, and very well-written, too. Thanks very much, for the link.

Being part of a family+ business myself (much smaller than this one), there's so much I could say but I'll just leave it at there but for the grace of God, go I. Wow!

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I'm not sure which story is more disheartening...


Sam's or Bobak's?

I was pretty shocked at how old that article was -- considering how rocky (read: understocked) the store has been in recent months, it seems like that kind of family failing-out was more recent. I read elsewhere (the trib article, maybe, posted above?) that the remaining brother left the company last December and that the private investment company had really been calling the shots since then. That does seem to jive with when the shelves starting being empty more often than they were full.

Also, in all fairness, I should credit Division Street's SmallBar twitter feed (http://twitter.com/SmallBarDst/status/4738566237) for the article -- hoping to discover information on upcoming beer, I found that link instead. Still a great find.

I was just in Sam's today to get some Orval for my birthday as it's my favorite beer, which, luckily they still had a few bottles of. What I saw was truly pathetic. Shelves literally half full, the aisle of domestic beer that used to be 10 feet high w/ dozens of varieties down to a scattering of cases of maybe 10 brands, the towering wine shelves now half their old size with many items simply out of stock. The addition they built next door still sits empty.

I asked a clerk what was going on and said how depressing it was given the way things were two (or even 1) year ago. There was none of the hustle and bustle, no wine staff roaming the aisles, one, unmanned wine tasting booth compared with 3 or 4 active every weekend previously. None of the things that made Sam's an excellent business for years. His response was that Binny's wasn't letting them buy *any* new stock. None.

It's really sad that a family institution is almost no more and pisses me off to see that it has gone down the tubes so quickly. It sure seems that Brian Rosen really screwed the pooch on this one.

Brian Rosen sold his share of the business a while ago, if I understand it correctly.

I was there yesterday also and was really disappointed in the amount of empty shelf space. But you have to remember that Sam's was just bought by Binny's. Binny's presumably wants to do some reshaping of the store, and perhaps move some inventory from other stores to this one. So it makes sense that they aren't doing much ordering right now (or none at all). Be patient.

Darren72 wrote:Brian Rosen sold his share of the business a while ago, if I understand it correctly.

I was there yesterday also and was really disappointed in the amount of empty shelf space. But you have to remember that Sam's was just bought by Binny's. Binny's presumably wants to do some reshaping of the store, and perhaps move some inventory from other stores to this one. So it makes sense that they aren't doing much ordering right now (or none at all). Be patient.

Yeah, I can understand Binny's not wanting the current Sam's management to be building up inventory on their dime. I can also understand why Sam's basically stopped buying new inventory while the sale was being negotiated. As a consumer, it's annoying but it does make sense (now that we know what's about to happen).

My guess is that once the sale closes tomorrow, it won't be too long before the shelves at the 2 stores in question are stocked again. That said, the selection at Binny's is good, not great and with no major local competition, it's not likely to improve. Prices will probably go up, too. Where in the past, these 2 entities competed for customers by (in part) stocking more products, I doubt Binny's will bring in any products that aren't very likely to move well. The days of the boutique finds in local liquor retail seem to be fading away. I've been to a couple of smaller, independently-owned shops recently (Lincolnwood Wine & Spirits, Schaefer's in Skokie) and have had some success finding items I couldn't find elsewhere but the overall selection and shelf space at these outlets isn't as broad as I wish it were.

I hate to say it but internet, here I come.

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Darren72 wrote:Brian Rosen sold his share of the business a while ago, if I understand it correctly.

right ... but it was his "grow grow grow !" plan and the move to private equity that precipitated their downfall. In hindsight reading the article quoted above, it looks like everything Darryl Rosen wanted to do was the right and everything Brian wanted (and got to do once he forced Darryl out) was wrong.

tem wrote:

Darren72 wrote:Brian Rosen sold his share of the business a while ago, if I understand it correctly.

right ... but it was his "grow grow grow !" plan and the move to private equity that precipitated their downfall. In hindsight reading the article quoted above, it looks like everything Darryl Rosen wanted to do was the right and everything Brian wanted (and got to do once he forced Darryl out) was wrong.

The article linked above really makes it seem as if Sam's Wines, family relations and Brian himself were victims of Brian's ego, which was irrational and out of control. I'm guessing that the reality of the situation isn't quite that black and white, though. That said, this really does seem like a case of killing the goose.

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And, that's that...

http://www.samswine.com now redirects to http://www.binnys.com

Already ID'd one product that I waited for years for Sam's to finally carry (they got it in over the summer) that's not apparently going to be available at Binny's.

I had lunch at Goose Island and ran into a guy wearing a Binnys shirt and he said that they were going to open after 2pm today. A friend runs a different Binnys so I asked the guy if he was the manager & if he knew my friend...., he said "sort of" and spoke highly of my buddy.... Turns out the guy I talked to is the President of Binnys....

Anyone know whether Binny's will honor Sam's frequent buyer (or whatever they call tehm) certificates? We bought all our wedding booze at the Highland Park Sam's, and I have a $25 certificate now - it would be nice to be able to use it.

I was in the Clybourn Binny's (nee Sam's) today.

The beer section looks like it's been fully stocked to Binny's levels.
I hadn't seen this much beer in Sam's in a long time.
Other than fully stocked beer shelves, ever thing looked like the old Sam's.

An acquaintance who works at a suburban Binny's related that due to the buy out he has to now start learning (working?) in other departments than just his wine kingdom. Not sure if this applies to other Binny's employees but he did his best to put a positive spin on it.

On a related note, Binnys will be floor stacking a bunch of Sam's branded wines. I'd guess (since I have no knowledge) that the prices might suggest that one buys a bottle and open it in the store or parking lot, and see if a case or two would be a better purchase at these close-out prices....

I stopped in at the Binny's Marcey St street location last Saturday and -- at least as far as spirits went -- the shelves still had all sorts of gaps, out of stocks and depressing emptiness. The Highland Park store, on the other hand, was gloriously stocked -- like the liquor faeries had delivered a couple railcars of product.

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mhill95149 wrote:On a related note, Binnys will be floor stacking a bunch of Sam's branded wines.

Yep that relentless supply of Ashland Park Cabernet is now out and about.

The ex-Sam's is clearing all inventory (huge sale) between now and the end of the year...haven't seen the prices but hope they're good!

Eva Luna wrote:Anyone know whether Binny's will honor Sam's frequent buyer (or whatever they call tehm) certificates? We bought all our wedding booze at the Highland Park Sam's, and I have a $25 certificate now - it would be nice to be able to use it.

This was the email received from them last week:

Many of you have written and called us in the few days since we acquired Sam's asking about your unredeemed reward certificates and birthday coupons. In the spirit of our new beginning together, and out of respect for Sam's old customers, Binny's will honor Sam's rewards certificates and birthday offers through Nov. 15, 2009. This limited time offer is valid at Sam's former locations in Lincoln Park and Downers Grove, and all previously stated exclusions and expiration dates still apply. We're also happy to announce that effective immediately we can now accept all valid Sam's gift cards.

Questions have been pouring in (no pun intended) on the Binny's Card. Signing up is quick, easy and very rewarding and can be done at any of our 24 Chicagoland locations. Benefits include a two percent rebate on wine purchases, a five percent discount on mixed case purchases and special email discounts and offers (including our much-anticipated 15 percent off everything in stock coupons). Visit a Binny's near you for details.

pacent wrote:This was the email received from them last week.

Binny's wrote:In the spirit of our new beginning together, and out of respect for Sam's old customers, Binny's will honor Sam's rewards certificates and birthday offers through Nov. 15, 2009.

Jeez! A whole two weeks! How generous! I sure am glad that spirit and respect got them to honor the Sam's offers for such a lengthy period.

Yes, I know that this is money out of their pockets. But how many people who have those certificates and offers are even going to know about this exceptionally generous offer before it expires. They knew about these outstanding items before they ever sat down to negotiate the contract and they knew that this would be a cost going forward. If the best they can do is two weeks, the hell with 'em. This is cheap, period. Good will is worth something and they just lost mine. (And no, I don't have a rewards certificate, a birthday offer, or anything else from Sam's. I just think that this is inexcusable, if not downright stupid, behavior.)

Sam's really screwed up their 2005 Brdx wine futures (oversold and under delivered) From what I've been told, Binny's is making good on Sam's 2005 futures orders.
IMHO, Binny's is doing a GREAT job cleaning up a mess they had nothing to do with and they deserve to be thanked for their efforts not derided.

But then again, some people are just never happy...

Gypsy Boy wrote:

pacent wrote:This was the email received from them last week.

Binny's wrote:In the spirit of our new beginning together, and out of respect for Sam's old customers, Binny's will honor Sam's rewards certificates and birthday offers through Nov. 15, 2009.

Jeez! A whole two weeks! How generous! I sure am glad that spirit and respect got them to honor the Sam's offers for such a lengthy period.

Yes, I know that this is money out of their pockets. But how many people who have those certificates and offers are even going to know about this exceptionally generous offer before it expires. They knew about these outstanding items before they ever sat down to negotiate the contract and they knew that this would be a cost going forward. If the best they can do is two weeks, the hell with 'em. This is cheap, period. Good will is worth something and they just lost mine. (And no, I don't have a rewards certificate, a birthday offer, or anything else from Sam's. I just think that this is inexcusable, if not downright stupid, behavior.)

mhill95149 wrote:Sam's really screwed up their 2005 Brdx wine futures (oversold and under delivered) From what I've been told, Binny's is making good on Sam's 2005 futures orders.
IMHO, Binny's is doing a GREAT job cleaning up a mess they had nothing to do with and they deserve to be thanked for their efforts not derided.

But then again, some people are just never happy...

Let's see: did I miss something? Did someone force Binny's to buy Sam's? Or was this a business deal? I assumed it was a strategic business decision to buy Sam's. They're not cleaning up the mess out of the goodness of their hearts; they're doing it as part of their business decision to buy Sam's in the first place. And I don't see anything wrong with criticizing a decision that they made in doing so, a decision regarding something that, in the end, is unlikely to cost them significant dollars while bringing them (at least potentially) much good will.

well I'm not seeing the "good will" working for you!

mhill95149 wrote:well I'm not seeing the "good will" working for you!

You are exactly right! That is precisely my point: this is a terrific opportunity for Binny's to keep Sam's customers and create good will going forward. Apparently, based on your information, they're doing exactly the right thing (imho) with regard to the Bordeaux futures which will, no doubt, cost them a large pile of money. It surprises me, in those circumstances, that they are doing what I think is the wrong thing with respect to what should cost a fraction of the dollars. That was my only point.

I always thought the Sam's birthday certificates and reward points virtually worthless anyways. My birthday certificates always arrived two weeks before the expiration date. My rewards certificates generally never arrived (and what were they, two percent back?). We spend several thousand dollars there for alcohol for our wedding. After 9 or so months of back and forth about why our rewards certificates hadn't arrived, the CS rep just gave us a store credit. A fine resolution, but a lot of so-called good will was lost in the process.

I have good will towards Binny's for putting Sam's out of its misery!

Darren72 wrote:I always thought the Sam's birthday certificates and reward points virtually worthless anyways. My birthday certificates always arrived two weeks before the expiration date.

My birthday certificate arrived in October. My birthday is in September.

You are exactly right! That is precisely my point: this is a terrific opportunity for Binny's to keep Sam's customers and create good will going forward.

Where else are the Sam's customers going to go?

rickster wrote:

You are exactly right! That is precisely my point: this is a terrific opportunity for Binny's to keep Sam's customers and create good will going forward.

Where else are the Sam's customers going to go?

One of the many smaller shops around the city, medium-sized places like Armanetti, and grocery stores. I used to shop at Sam's a lot, but the difficulties dealing with them over my wedding rewards, plus the fact that they screwed up the order for the wedding, and the fact that I despise that neighborhood, gave me impetus to shop at smaller, more specialized places (esp Perman Fine Wine).

Darren72 wrote:

rickster wrote:

You are exactly right! That is precisely my point: this is a terrific opportunity for Binny's to keep Sam's customers and create good will going forward.

Where else are the Sam's customers going to go?

One of the many smaller shops around the city, medium-sized places like Armanetti, and grocery stores. I used to shop at Sam's a lot, but the difficulties dealing with them over my wedding rewards, plus the fact that they screwed up the order for the wedding, and the fact that I despise that neighborhood, gave me impetus to shop at smaller, more specialized places (esp Perman Fine Wine).

Isn't Armanetti a long-standing part of Binny's, bought by them many years ago? I thought it was absorbed long ago, right around the time that Gold Standard became Binny's.

In any case, Wine Discount Center, Perman Wine Selections, Drinks Over Dearborn, In Fine Spirts, House of Glunz and Schaefer's are just a few viable alternatives.

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ronnie_suburban wrote:Isn't Armanetti a long-standing part of Binny's, bought by them many years ago? I thought it was absorbed long ago, right around the time that Gold Standard became Binny's.

I didn't know this, but apparently they bought them in 2005.

Isn't Armanetti's primarily a franchiser? Binny's acquired a single Armanetti store on Milwaukee Avenue in Niles several years ago.