I admit, I'm not exactly a normal-looking human being - from most people's standpoints. Occasionally, that works in my favor. I can walk into a restaurant for the third time, and I can tell that the waitstaff recognize me, for better or worse. On some occasions, like the day I walked into Liquorama, that did NOT apparently work in my favor.
From the second I stepped in, I felt like... someone was watching me. And, like I do in most shopping establishments I enter for the first time, I spend a long time perusing the aisles - scrutinizing how many deals they have, what prices they're offering for products that I can recall seeing in other shops and how they compare.
And yet, I kept having that feeling...
I finally made it up and down pretty much every aisle when finally a person I'd seen several times before actually approached me and asked me for my backpack, so he could hold it behind the counter.
Now, this is a common rule in establishments, pretty much in stores or areas where they experience a lot of theft. The neighborhood I live in isn't perfect, but I'm used to this practice. Especially when it's mentioned upon ENTERING (with signage or a diligent employee monitoring and handling this stuff). I was dismayed that this wasn't asked of me upon ENTERING. I was allowed to wander the store for nigh on twenty minutes before they bothered to ask me for my bag.
It got me thinking, "Do I look that much like a criminal?" I was sure that the suspicions I had walking in of being watched were probably accurate. I was a new face in the store, but I certainly wasn't an under-21 patron (they never even carded me when I made my purchase) and I don't think my actions suggested I was either a criminal mastermind plotting, or a smash-and-grab idiot casing the joint. I guess that walking around for 20 minutes without actually picking up a product for purchase may have seemed suspicious, but when I just have my backpack with me, I scope out what and how many items I plan on purchasing before grabbing them for purchase.
Anyway, I wasn't TOO put off, gave them my backpack, and decided I'd had enough. I selected my items for purchase (a discounted bottle of Black Cherry vodka that was a good price and some Guinness "Extra Foreign") and headed to the checkout. They were very friendly people upon checkout - some light conversation and all smiles - but it was hard to shake the thought of them watching me for so long and determining "we better get his bag" after such a long time.
Again, I have no issues with stores holding my backpack while I shop - as long as they're up-front about it and I can tell it's a general policy and that I'm not being targeted or singled out in any way.
As for my evaluation of the wares, all in all I wasn't too impressed. They did have a few deals that would make it worthwhile shopping here for liquor, but only to buy the items on sale. Most everything not on sale was at the average or slightly-higher prices than I'm used to seeing. But their selection is pretty good. They have a healthy array of indie/craft/microbrew beers to choose from, though I would have REALLY liked a Hitachino or two supplementing their Asian items.
I love the idea of craft beers, but I do not in any way love the thought of paying $8 for one bottle of beer. Except for those rare instances where I can find Banana Bread Beer. This was not one of those instances.
Either way, after making my selection (after not being carded, which I found a little odd), I was able to retrieve my bag and load my purchases inside. I even signed up for their e-mail newsletter, in case they have a deal on a liquor I need.
But that's the only way I think I'll be lured back here - an incredible deal on a liquor I'm really looking for. Until then, I don't think I'll be seeing you around, Liquorama.
It's not you, it's me. No wait... It's you. read more
