Cobble Heights beer distributor to close after 37 years in neighborhood
Josh Guttman | September 12, 2007
I walked by Cobble Heights beer distributorship this morning and noticed the garage, typically overflowing with cases and kegs of beers of every variety, sat empty with the look of a business whose days were numbered. I stopped and spoke to Tom Daly, the owner of the 37-year old operation and he confirmed my suspicions. “With the 60-unit complex going up across the street and another building beginning construction soon two doors away, we decided it made sense to close rather than wait out the 1-2 years of construction,” he explained. Tom’s family has owned the building and distributor for 24 years. Before moving to the location on Pacific Street between Court and Boerum, they ran a retail operation next to Sahadi’s on Atlantic. “Back in 1983, we noticed the building had been deserted when neighbors started dumping old mattresses in the garage.” He approached the owner, living in Florida at the time, and negotiated the sale. Now, they are making plans to sell the building themselves, and will focus on their wholesale business from their headquarters in Queens. I can’t help but wonder if this is symptomatic of a broader trend as old neighborhood businesses call it quits as big developments take hold in the neighborhood. As for what this means for their main competition on Court Street, Tom says “we’ve enjoyed healthy competition with American Beer Distributors dating back to when our fathers ran the businesses. I wish them well.”
Comments
6 Comments so far
The owner (as well as the employees) were always so friendly - I’m sorry to see them go.
I talked to Tom a couple days before Labor day when they were scheduled to close and he broke the news. I loved buying kegs from him.
This is so depressing. How do I return my keg?
I just spoke with the new owners of the building and found out that they are building two new apartment units upstairs and opening a handmade wallpaper retail store downstairs. Why would anyone trade in beer for handmade wallpaper?!?
Where else in the neighborhood can you now get a keg?
American Beer right around corner on Court, but they have no selection at all and you have to pay the deposits in cash. There’s Big Blue in Greenpoint and a few places in Williamsburg but I just drive over to Hoboken to get mine at Hoboken Beer and Soda. They have a huge selection in stock and to order (3 days ahead) with good prices. Just started carrying Blue Point actually. Plus you don’t have to pay as much in deposits and can keep the keg as long as you need.