I love this place!
There are a few liquor-stores /…read morequickie-marts in our neighborhood, but this one is my favorite.
I go there most days off for a beer or a couple of lil liquor shooter bottles to make a mixed drink. If I'm craving a soda or a bag of chips, it's here I go. But also, they have useful grocery store / drug store items.
Out of cat food & just need a tin or two? Need a quart of milk? Need that vegetable oil for the random baking you started but didn't have it for? This is likely the place.
But the people who run the store are the real reason I go.
There are clearly familial relations, and the family are of middle-eastern descent. There's an accent for us corn-fed whitewashed people (who's other heritage is from the distant, distant past), but this poses no barrier. Not only is their English impeccable but they also speak Spanish quite well. In fact the radio is playing a Spanish station in the store almost 100% of the time and the Spanish speaking customers who frequent the store seem to enjoy the family as much as I do. Let's introduce you, shall we?:
Mom (I'll call her mom because I assume that's her role in this family) is reserved, proper, courteous, and might be slightly shy but you can easily get her to smile or to laugh with you. Very pleasant to interact with. Very lovely woman, who gives off the "I'm comfortable with who & where I am, and all good people are welcome to my table... But don't mess with me bad people" sort of vibe.
Dad is obviously the patriarch of the staff. Always polite and congenial, remembers his customers after the 2nd or 3rd visit, helps you out when you're looking for something & points you right at it. He's handsome in his salt & pepper hair and is well groomed & well dressed. Happy, congenial and a good small-talker, I love it when he's there.
Son #2 (first listed because he's more rare, given my usual visit times it seems he's hardly ever there. Maybe he's a morning person. - cuz I'm not) is a handsome, vivacious man who is obviously quite sociable. Makes small talk well, makes friends easily and true to family form, helps you with anything you might ask with a friendly & helpful air about him.
My favorite: Son #1 (almost always there in the late evening when I usually stop by) is a bit smaller & handsomer than son #2 (who appears slightly older & more macho). This one's a bit more reserved than his presumed brother, and is ABSOLUTELY my favorite. (With Dad a close 2nd. Go dad!).
He's first of all the most attractive of all of them although the whole family is beautiful given their personalities & multi-culty sensibilities (yes - I have a HUGE crush on him & it's probably why I rate him so. Ok I'll be honest - I think he's HOTT!!!), wears cute somewhat hip outfits without appearing shallow, (hat cocked sideways, camo or hoodies, no expensive brand names flashed, doesn't smell like a French whore from body sprays, etc). He is intelligent and is a perfect mix of approachable & friendly to the normal customer, and he also handles the occasional... Vagabond? Unbalanced vagrant...? with FIRM boundaries without being overly rude to them, (without disrespecting the person & being cognizant of their value as a human being). He let's them know he won't put up with any bull in a firm respectful way.
This is important to me as a nurse. All people are worth our respect, and that includes laying boundaries where necessary, meting out consequences where necessary, and maintaining respect throughout; educating where needed.
I've always thought him sexy, but watching his calm exchange one day as an unkempt, intoxicated person started slurring to him at the checkout counter, made me a solid returning customer all the way. This is how it went:
*slurring* "you probably think I'm lying about the other day but I really didn't steal it. I was just wanting to" ---
"$2.49 my dear," he interrupted calmly with a polite smile.
"Ok" handing over some bills & change. "I just don't want you to think-"
"We'll see how everything goes from here, thank you" followed by a courteous smile as he returned the change. "I'll see you next time" a gentle wave goodby to her as he turned to me.
She was politely but firmly dismissed, her business finished, without any arguments or insults. Nobody was made uncomfortable. Obviously they'd had some history
His personality, his looks, his intelligence, his mysterious background (has an accent, is missing a finger, is educated-seeming, courteous, well mannered, etc), makes me kinda look forward to needing the occasional item from the quickie-mart...
But WHOEVER is there, I ALWAYS feel welcome, appreciated as a customer, provided for, and courteously handled when I leave there. This feels important!
Stopping by a liquor store for chips doesn't seem like a venue from which to report good, bad or blah, customer service... But from Gavilan Market, I always feel like I stopped by for a hug & left with a bag of chips & a beer as well.
I this place!!
