West Seattle businesses: The Beer Junction taps new location

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Just after celebrating its first anniversary, The Beer Junction is getting ready to move to a new location.

Though Year 1 has seen “faster than expected” growth, according to owner Morgan Herzog, that’s not why his store is moving.

It’s in one of the buildings that will be torn down for construction of the Conner Homes California/Alaska/42nd project – considered likely to start next year.

His lease wasn’t ending immediately, but Morgan says he was “excited to jump” at the chance when the perfect new location opened up:

That new location: The Junction’s former Electric Train Shop, which just moved to Burien, and part of the state liquor store (file photo at left), which is moving to a new Junction location in Capco Plaza (41st/Alaska).

The Liquor Control Board has told WSB they’re moving the store at the end of August. So after that, Morgan gets to start working on moving in; “We’re probably looking at taking over [starting work on] the space sometime in September.” You’ll be able to enter from the rear parking lot, like the liquor store, as well as the California storefront.

It’s larger than his current space on 42nd SW, so he’s expecting to “probably expand our inventory and be able to carry more beer.”

(Keep in mind, his current inventory is more than 1,000 types of beer – up from 600+ when The Beer Junction opened last year.)

Plus, he expects to have room to “probably expand our hard-cider selection” and carry more “beer-related accessories – (including) more beer shirts.” Also on the wish list: A tasting room, since The Beer Junction has been hosting weekly “consistently popular and well-attended” tastings since shortly after it opened last summer. Sometimes more – three days in a row on West Seattle Summer Fest weekend, which also entailed The Beer Junction’s anniversary celebration, and “eight events over the course of 11 days for Seattle Beer Week.”

Tastings are usually on Thursdays – Snoqualmie Brewing is coming in this week, Alpenfire Cider next week, says Morgan. And this summer he’s also reminding customers that “if anybody needs a keg, we can get those” – 1,000 options. Gift shopping? “Mix-and-match beer gift back, gift certificate, 80 types of glassware.”

As Morgan told us when we first reported on his then-store-to-be last year, it’s his first retail endeavor, but clearly, one for which, in West Seattle, the time was right: “I think the people have spoken – they like their craft beer.”

30 Replies to "West Seattle businesses: The Beer Junction taps new location"

  • Marge July 13, 2011 (3:15 pm)

    more delicious beer

  • ben July 13, 2011 (3:33 pm)

    this is great news – i’m very happy for morgan! (a little bummed the move puts the store a couple blocks farther from my house…)

  • melissa July 13, 2011 (3:35 pm)

    Although the Beer Junction is moving further from my house, I still welcome even more beer. Congrats, Morgan!

  • Bryan July 13, 2011 (3:36 pm)

    The beer junction rocks! Excited to see what the new store looks like. Where did the liquor store move to?

    • WSB July 13, 2011 (3:55 pm)

      Bryan, as noted above, it is moving to Capco Plaza at 41st/Alaska.

  • ws parent July 13, 2011 (3:41 pm)

    I just hope he has enough space for a playroom for my kids. I’m getting tired of having to watch them while my spouse and I shop for beer.

  • Mike July 13, 2011 (3:44 pm)

    OH YEAH! I’m happy now.

  • Eliza July 13, 2011 (3:50 pm)

    Yeah! What a great addition to the core junction location!

  • DaveB July 13, 2011 (3:54 pm)

    If they need help reducing inventory before the move they are welcome to give me a call.

  • Droog July 13, 2011 (4:09 pm)

    nice! I was hoping Morgan would find a space soon. Way to go! Can’t wait to see the new place.

  • Terry July 13, 2011 (4:19 pm)

    Great store! Its great to see your success, Morgan. Good times or bad, we like our beers!

  • RJB July 13, 2011 (4:31 pm)

    Yeah…..more beer!!!!

  • johnny Davies July 13, 2011 (4:32 pm)

    I love me some Beer Junction! Bigger store = two words: Homebrew supplies!

  • Teri July 13, 2011 (4:37 pm)

    Congrats Morgan!

  • JunctionMonkey July 13, 2011 (5:23 pm)

    Mmmmmmmmm, Beeeeerrrr.

    Congrats. I’m there!

  • Dc July 13, 2011 (5:38 pm)

    Yeah!!!

  • Twobottles July 13, 2011 (5:48 pm)

    I’ll echo the desire for some homebrew supplies!

  • JanS July 13, 2011 (6:11 pm)

    and free parking to boot…

  • Andy July 13, 2011 (6:31 pm)

    Does the Beer Junction sell root beer? If not, it would be cool to see them stock some different varieties in the new space!

  • Todd July 13, 2011 (6:33 pm)

    Congratulations! Better access and parking!

  • thebeerjunction July 13, 2011 (7:01 pm)

    Thanks all! We’re excited about the new location. We will be doing business as usual at our current location until it’s ready to move in to the new spot(most likely November). @Andy– we do carry Boylan’s and Crater Lake Root Beer and may be expanding that selection in the new location.

    Also just wanted to make sure you all know we do currently have free parking in our shared lot with the Rocksport.

    Cheers!

  • newnative July 13, 2011 (7:30 pm)

    Closer to my place. Cool!

  • michele July 13, 2011 (8:18 pm)

    WOO HOO! Great location!

  • Hatcher July 13, 2011 (8:23 pm)

    Congratulations, Morgan. We love your place and are so happy to support the local biz! : )

  • Jehu July 13, 2011 (8:28 pm)

    Congrats Morgan! I was worried about you losing your current location. The new location sounds like it will be even better!

  • kc July 13, 2011 (8:49 pm)

    Isn’t it an unwritten rule that the standard payment to help someone to move is a case of beer? I wonder if Morgan needs volunteers to help him move?

  • Dirk Digler July 13, 2011 (10:20 pm)

    Best comment thread I have seen in a while LOL. Congrats Morgan – You continue to be an awesome addition to the Junction.

  • Thomas July 14, 2011 (9:24 am)

    Really glad to hear that the beer junction is going strong.

    I’ll triple the request for homebrew supplies, it’d be spectacular to have a west seattle option!

  • dawsonct July 14, 2011 (11:32 am)

    Great, I’ll have to walk a WHOLE EXTRA BLOCK now!!

  • Duane July 14, 2011 (1:55 pm)

    Happy the Beer JXN in flourishing in hard times. I love that store!

    But does West Seattle really need another ugly,over-sized, and un-occupied condo project? There are already too many people living in the Alaskan Junction area as it is. Parking is going to get even worse.

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