Choosing a Liquor Store

Perhaps you’ve just turned 21 and want to know where the best place is to spend your money. Maybe you’ve newly moved to the area and aren’t sure where all the best spots are yet. No matter your situation, when you need to find a liquor store in Gainesville, consider the following to make the best choice.

 Selection

 The first thing you should consider when choosing a liquor store to spend money in is how much of a selection it has. The store you choose should have a wide variety of beer, wine and liquor. The beer and wine should include national, international and local selections. The liquor selection should include plain and flavored vodkas, light and dark rums, a variety of whiskeys and a range of other popular choices. The best liquor stores will include well-known products as well as rarer choices.

 Price

 Locally owned stores typically have slightly higher prices and may not carry as large a selection but they often have craft beers from local microbreweries and usually put the money you spend back into the local economy. Chain stores have lower prices and a larger selection to choose from. Choose the smaller store if you’d like to try something unique while supporting your community. Visit the large store if you are buying for a party and need a wide variety or to buy in bulk.

 Customer Service

 As you find a liquor store in Gainesville, keep customer service in mind. The employees at a liquor store should be friendly as well as knowledgeable about the products they sell. Anybody can point you to the vodka aisle but if you aren’t sure which one to choose, an employee should be able to make recommendations based on what you’ll be mixing with it or the type of event you’re having. If you want to try something new, they should be able to recommend something based on your tastes. Additionally, the store should be clean and well-lit.

 Location

 Location is also important when deciding where to shop for alcohol. You wouldn’t drive to the other side of the city to go to the grocery store so you probably won’t want to do so for alcohol, either. However, depending on what is in your neighborhood, it may be more beneficial to take the longer trip. If you just want an easy case of beer, a store around the corner will suffice. If you need a larger selection, it will be worth the trip across the city.

 Hours

 Depending on where you live, some stores won’t be able to sell after between certain hours during the week. Others aren’t allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays at all. Many liquor stores open mid-morning and close later in the evening but some will stay open 24 hours if their city allows it. Avoid stores that subtly open later or earlier than allowed, though. If they are unethical about their hours, they are probably unethical about other things.

 After you find a liquor store in Gainesville, make your shopping trip easier by being prepared. Bring a shopping list with you and ensure you have cash just in case the store doesn’t accept credit or the machine is down. Don’t forget to bring a valid picture ID that shows your age as well.