DiningBuzz! - The "Corner Liquor Store"

Who shops there? What do you buy? (I understand that many of you do not have such types of store because your state or province knows better.)

There's one on the corner, which I rarely go into. A couple of days ago, wanting some fizzy water, I grabbed a 1.25L bottle of Crystal Geyser - no price marked clearly in the cooler. $2.89. :eek::eek::eek: I paid, and left. I've never bought a foodstuff in there, and my usual visit is once every 6 months or so for a lotto ticket. I've never bought any alcohol there, either, although I'm sure some of those wines that get the nice morning sun through the window are delicious. Occasionally, a house guest will run to the corner for some beer, as we rarely have any in the house.

I know that some of these sorts of places might have a nice deli counter and make good sandwiches. Not the case here.

So, do you shop at the corner liquor store?

Who shops there? What do you buy? (I understand that many of you do not have such types of store because your state or province knows better.)

There's one on the corner, which I rarely go into. A couple of days ago, wanting some fizzy water, I grabbed a 1.25L bottle of Crystal Geyser - no price marked clearly in the cooler. $2.89. :eek::eek::eek: I paid, and left. I've never bought a foodstuff in there, and my usual visit is once every 6 months or so for a lotto ticket. I've never bought any alcohol there, either, although I'm sure some of those wines that get the nice morning sun through the window are delicious. Occasionally, a house guest will run to the corner for some beer, as we rarely have any in the house.

I know that some of these sorts of places might have a nice deli counter and make good sandwiches. Not the case here.

So, do you shop at the corner liquor store?

No it's a (in)convenience store thus higher prices and wine aging in the window

Just like you said...the occasional six-pack for a last minute run and Lotto tickets. Oh...and gum. Never even thought about food, because the employees always look suspicious. The closest I'd get to food is a bag of chips, because they come sealed. But even then I would check for expiration dates. And yes, they are always 10-25% higher than my local grocery store.

I buy beer, water, and snacks regularly from them when they are within walking distance of my hotel room, which is often. Never lived near one.

They can come in handy when traveling. Certainly much cheaper than a mini-bar or room service if one wants to stock a few beverages and snacks in a hotel room.

Not a problem in Connecticut, the corner store can't sell anything but beer and many of them doin't have the necessary license to do so. Plus the state sets the minimum price for everything (just recently allowing a store to do two sales per month of one item) so virtually everybody sells stuff at the same price.

We shop on selection, not price for wine and liquor, as it's gonna be about the same price no matter where you go.

For two decades I stayed at least a couple of times a year at the JWMarriott, 13th & Pennsylvania in DC. Rarely did I not visit the "Spartan and Plebeian" liquor store a couple of doors from the main entrance, where prices and selection were far better than from the minibar or lobby shop. No sandwiches, but assorted bar snacks, but for a fifth, a 6 pack, some mixers, etc., convenient and satisfying. The night time clientele was broad-based....

I have two old school bodegas/corner stores/delis/spas/variety stores within a block of my house in NW DC. Thanks to the neighbourhood, they both carry a fairly good stock of foodstuffs and booze at slightly less than extortionate prices. While I wouldn't do my main booze shopping at either of them, I can get a decent sixer (Dogfish, Sierra, Heavy Seas, etc...), a moderately tasty $10-$15 bottle of chuck, or mid-grade booze (They carry up to Buffalo Trace in boubon, Titos in vodka, and Hendrich's in gin.).

For better prices, I drive into VA to one of the booze warehouses and ABCs.

Nothing close by is worth mentioning other than Spec's (http://www.specsonline.com/cgi-bin/showpage?pageid=main) perhaps, but I may have to haunt this one from time to time: http://www.hamricksmarket.com/

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

spgchampion@starwoodhotels.com

Here in North Carolina all alcohol has to be sold at State Run Liquor stores (called ABC Stores). However, when I was in Nashville a few months ago I hit a corner store for some cheap champagne for my hotel room. They're fun to stop into every now and again.

Fondest memory of my corner liquor store was back when we were youngsters (around 8 or so) and went there to buy "packs" of chocolate cigarettes. Actual hard box packs that contained something like 10 or 20 (don't remember) paper wrapped chocolate sticks that looked just like the cigs that mom and dad used to smoke.

I think it was Ghandi who said, "When you mind f**k a child you mind f**k them for life." ;);)

Starwood Lurker, thanks for the memory of Spec's. After growing up in Houston, I foolishly thought all liquor stores were like that.

Was in College Station recently, and seeing their logo rabbit wearing glasses (Spec's) it was good to see that they had actually improved with age. Lots of gourmet foods, cheeses, and their selection of single malt scotch and wine was still exceptional.

They are the very high end "corner liquor store" in parts of Houston.

I haven't bought anything from my corner liquor store that is literally on my corner. I do frequent the larger liquor store that is only a block away, but even there it's hard to buy much knowing everything is at least 20% more expensive than it is online.

Starwood Lurker, thanks for the memory of Spec's. After growing up in Houston, I foolishly thought all liquor stores were like that.

Was in College Station recently, and seeing their logo rabbit wearing glasses (Spec's) it was good to see that they had actually improved with age. Lots of gourmet foods, cheeses, and their selection of single malt scotch and wine was still exceptional.

They are the very high end "corner liquor store" in parts of Houston.

Agreed. Whenever I'm in Austin I hit up Specs and they're quite impressive. Good cigar selection, plenty of beer you actually want to try, fresh fruit for garnishes and helpful staff. Plus, it's fun just to be in one.

no real "corner liquor stores" in the part of Dallas I live in, so I never shop at the, And why would I if I can hit up a Goody Goody. Or a Spec's. Or even a Total Wine.

I moved about a year ago, but 'the corner liquor store' in my old neighborhood was hard to avoid. It really was on a corner, was named '1000 Liquors' (it probably did stock 1000 liquors) and was open until 5 AM on weekends. The only real negative about the place is that they raised the price of everything (even a pack of gum) @ 2 AM.

Who shops there? What do you buy? (I understand that many of you do not have such types of store because your state or province knows better.)

There's one on the corner, which I rarely go into. A couple of days ago, wanting some fizzy water, I grabbed a 1.25L bottle of Crystal Geyser - no price marked clearly in the cooler. $2.89. :eek::eek::eek: I paid, and left. I've never bought a foodstuff in there, and my usual visit is once every 6 months or so for a lotto ticket. I've never bought any alcohol there, either, although I'm sure some of those wines that get the nice morning sun through the window are delicious. Occasionally, a house guest will run to the corner for some beer, as we rarely have any in the house.

I know that some of these sorts of places might have a nice deli counter and make good sandwiches. Not the case here.

So, do you shop at the corner liquor store?

Since I live in the East Bay as well, I actually visit three stores, but each with a specific reason.

1- I go to one since it is the only place which I have actually won on lottery tickets.

2- One store still have the best beer prices on what I generally buy.

3- One store consistently has better liquor prices on vodkas, tequila, and bourbon than every other store near me, even Trader Joe's and a BevMo under .5 mile away. I have also been able to barter at this store if I buy over three or more bottles.

1- I go to one since it is the only place which I have actually won on lottery tickets.

It's bad luck to be superstitious.