West Seattle’s Super Deli Mart might just be the exception that proves the rule when it comes to fostering the creation of local communities.

The Atlantic recently featured the convenience store in an extensive article entitled “A Postmodern Elks Club Serving Some of the World’s Best Beer”.  It’s a fascinating look into at the odd-couple money-makers at this West Seattle establishment.  This conveinence store, with its regular selection of Hostess Cupcakes, Doritos and Coors Light (it’s #1 seller) is better known around Seattle as the place to go to get some of the country’s most sought after craft beers.

Like what you ask?  According to the article, Super Deli Mart has recently tapped sought after brews such as…

• Elysian Brewing Company’s Dark o’ the Moon pumpkin stout
• Stone Japanese Green Tea Imperial IPA
• Russian River Pliny the Younger

Just to name a few.

And beer-loving Seattlites have responded, by locking to the convenience store in droves.  The seemingly unnatural, natural result has been that there’s now a sense of community, akin to Decatur’s Brick Store, I dare say, beneath the florescent lights and amongst the processed food items of the Deli Mart.

How did this happen?

Well first and most importantly, the store’s owner, Min Chung, sells his draft beer at a loss.  He charges just $3 for many pints.  Says Chung to the Atlantic, “”If I make 25 percent on my drafts, I’m super-stoked.”   Chung makes up the loss in the bottles and other items he sells thanks to the foot and car traffic the draft list brings in.  It’s a brilliant strategy in a beer-obsessed city like Seattle.  And where there’s foot traffic and alcohol, there’s also a greater than average potency for strong community ties to form.

Add this to the fact that Chung’s convenience store is situated on the edge of a residential neighborhood in the grid of streets in  West Seattle and you have a recipe for “the oddest place in North America to enjoy some of the best beers around” and an unlikely strengthening force of community bonds.

Neat stuff!  Thanks to my wife for forwarding!

Photo courtesy of Google Streetview