When Eric Landes and Tyler Clark bought Goshen Beverage in April 2025, they weren't stepping into unfamiliar territory. Between them, they had spent more than 25 years working at the West Chester and Exton beer distributor, and for the last few years they had essentially been running the day-to-day operations. Now, as owners, they're focused on building on the store's legacy rather than reinventing it.
We spoke with Eric about the transition, the store's massive selection, the Insiders Club, and how keg delivery has evolved.
Question 1: What made you decide to take the leap into ownership, and what has surprised you most about running the store so far?
"Between the two of us, we'd already spent more than 25 years working at Goshen, and for the last few years we'd essentially been running the day-to-day operations." So when the opportunity came up, they approached the former owner in April 2025 and began the buyout process. A year later, after overcoming many hurdles, they completed the purchase.
"The biggest thing for us is that we don't want to change what already made Goshen successful. We are trying to build on it." Customer service remains the top priority, and they're working to build a culture with their staff that caters to every customer, whether first-time visitors or long-time regulars.
The biggest surprise? "How much goes on behind the scenes once you're actually the owner. Even after 15 years, there are parts of ownership you don't really see until everything ultimately falls on you."
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Question 2: What does being the largest beer store in the area look like day to day?
Selection is the headline. "We carry over 3,000 different products from around 75 vendors, so the store has much more variety than you might realize just driving by." The goal is to have something for everyone—from big domestic brands to local craft, imports, seltzers, ready-to-drink cocktails, and even party supplies like ice, cups, and snacks.
"If we don't carry something, we do our best to find it for you and bring it in." That kind of range requires a knowledgeable staff. "With that much inventory, you need people who know the store and can actually help people with recommendations or just find what they are looking for."
Question 3: How did the Insiders Club giveaway program start, and what kind of response do you get?
The idea started with the previous owner, who offered smaller giveaways like koozies and shirts. Eric and Tyler expanded on that. "We wanted to give something back to our regular customers and make shopping here a little more fun." Prizes have included a PS5, Blackstone Grills, JBL speakers, and brewery merchandise.
The response has been strong. "People definitely remember the giveaways and ask what we're doing next." It's also a way to reward customers without making everything about discounts. "All you have to do to enter is scan a QR code in the store every month. It at least gives people a reason to come back and check out our new offerings every month."
Question 4: How do you decide what makes the cut on the shelves?
"A lot of it comes down to knowing our customers." After years in the store, they have a good sense of what sells and what people are looking for, but they're also constantly bringing in new products and seeing what catches on. Customer requests play a big role. "If enough people ask for something or sometimes even if one regular customer really wants something and we can reasonably get it we'll try to bring it in."
With such a large selection, Eric wishes more customers knew how much they can source on request. "With the size of our selection, I think people would be surprised by how much we can either find in the store or get for them if they just ask."
Question 5: How did keg delivery grow, and what do people order most?
Delivery has been part of the business for a long time, but it really took off during Covid. "We enlisted the help of DoorDash and Uber Eats to subsidise the delivery demand." They now deliver kegs and cases for backyard parties, weddings, office buildings, and local regulars who call the store.
"Domestic beers are still probably the most common orders, but we get requests for just about everything." Craft beer varies depending on the event and customer. "One of the advantages of our size and the number of wholesalers we work with is that if somebody wants something specific, there's a solid chance we can get it."
For beer lovers in the Greater Philadelphia area, Goshen Beverage offers a model of how a neighborhood distributor can thrive by combining deep selection, personal service, and a willingness to adapt. Whether you're stocking up for a party or exploring new styles, it's worth a visit—or a delivery order. Check out their website for more details.