(Shopped 12/30/21 WE @ 6:00pm): This liquor store was located on Webster Ave. and about the size of 1980's TV sitcom character "Webster" played by Emmanuel Lewis!
On Day 11 of my vacation as I visited a very dear friend for the Christmas and New Year holidays, we were in search of one of our favorite champagne bottles without leaving the area or having it delivered if we didn't have to, when we made a final stop at Webster Liquor. Located barely five minutes from my friend's place, we struck out at a couple other local bottle shops we visited earlier on my vacation. Apparently, this liquor store was very well-known and loved in the neighborhood which was heartwarming to hear and see. Would we find what we were looking for!?
PURCHASE
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne 750ml Bottle ($75.00): Truly one of my favorite champagne around, it was mandatory that we had a bottle of this for our New Year's Eve or New Year's Day celebration. One lone bottle without its box remained placed not exactly on the top shelf behind the counter sandwiched between two other lesser-known champagne. Thankfully, we lucked out on our final destination home or we had to go the delivery route. For sure, we paid more than at a chain or larger bodega which made us enjoy this even more once we popped the cork https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=wtIKfrSk3A5DBSrItPrPbQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Wise Onion Rings 2oz Snack Bag ($0.99): I loved all-things onion rings and salty snacks, so of course I had to try these! If you knew me at all, I always searched for brands of chips I'd never heard of before and if the flavors were unique or simply onion rings as was the case here, I could never resist. I opened the bag with glee, pulled one out, inserted it into my mouth, and let it dissolve a bit before I began to chew it. My immediate thought was how salty it was and how much it reminded me of those crispy fried onions on top of a green bean casserole - good but not great ... and I wish I had some Cactus Cooler soda to wash it down https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=MTBTUmIA5Czdkonpked6tA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
SERVICE
Silently greeted by Max the shopkeeper, we cased the joint ourselves until my friend saw and pointed out the bottle behind the counter. He easily grabbed it, wrapped it in a brown paper bag, I took my chips in my hand, and off we went happy as two peas in a pod - easy-peasy!
PARKING (FREE; N/A in this instance)
We walked, so parking wasn't an issue. Otherwise, there appeared to be plenty of spots along the main drag of Webster Ave. and all surrounding streets - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A tiny store with one main alcohol display area in the center, refrigerated sections along the right wall, another smaller alcohol display are along the back wall, random canned food, toiletries, etc. on a shelf display along the left wall, a pay counter with the top-shelf items and smokes behind that towards the front, and racks of candy and snacks at the base of the counter. Not everything was visibly priced, and generally speaking there was a hodge-podge of merchandise but primarily liquor. Plenty of natural lighting came through the large front wall windows and door while soul-sucking fluorescent electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were no TVs, but music played in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=ql5hsdbW0k8MAt9CvP-HlA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
ATTIRE
Temperatures were in the 40s, so I was bundled-up from head-to-toe. Otherwise, this place was totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
I always loved neighborhood liquor stores and Webster Liquor, albeit probably smaller than my apartment, had its charm. As expected, the prices were comparably slightly higher (especially in the Veuve case), the selection limited and kept to top-selling name brands and lower-priced off-brands, and the service kept to a minimum. Bare-bones rickety shops like this gave close-knit neighborhoods their identity and soul that everyone appreciated. And, it was always a pleasure to support small local mom & pop businesses like this one. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $80.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS read more