Edgewater Food Wine & Spirits

I ran out of sweet vermouth at 830 pm the other night. While to some this may seem like a simple problem, it is actually a really really horrible thing. Have you ever tried to drink a manhattan without sweet vermouth? It’s not the same.
Being that I had already had one manhattan (and I like things in pairs), I decided that driving to a liquor store was probably not in my best interest — and so I decided to walk down the street and venture into Edgewater Food, Wine & Spirits.
The thing that makes this voyage special, is that before this place was remodeled it looked like a set from a bad ’70’s film. The kind of store you’d see in the middle of a really junky city, with trash blowing around and a pimp in a big Cadillac out front.
The reworking of the space is fantastic, down to the marble floors.
I confess, the selection of sweet vermouth wasn’t mind shattering, but they did have something. And that my dear friends, is the moral of this story.
The only thing I dislike is that the purchases are put into black plastic bags. Black plastic bags make me feel like I’m going to go into the alley, and start drinking right out of the bottle.
I’m glad to know this place is here, should I ever need a mixer in a pinch again. I am also glad to know that after one manhattan, I am able to go shopping, be civil to a cashier, and walk home again without losing my keys. And most importantly, fix one more drinky drink.
Should you every have an emergency mixer situation in Edgewater, head out to this place. Your drink will thank you.

I moved into the neighborhood a few months ago and I’ve been going great to Hollywood Pantry for my booze needs, but their beer selection can be a bit limited. I stopped in here a few days ago and was pleasantly surprised. The craft beer selection is better than you would think, and they have quite a few large format options. Plus the staff was really friendly.

Great selection of beer, wine, and spirits. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable.

I drink a fair share of beer, so I can definitely say they’ve got all the microbrews that make me smile (Dogfish Head 90 minute, Angry Orchard Elderflower for the girlfriend). They got good stuff, a little pricey but a great selection.

Impressive beer selection. Was able to find many local selections like a root beer beer. If I was in the area and needed beer, I would definitely make a stop here.

Thrilled by the renovation /​reinvention they have done. This place had been an eyesore for 10 years. Now it’s a clean joint with the best beer selection in the neighborhood (leaping over a low bar, but still appreciated). I even saw a bottle of Georgian (the country, not the state) sparkling wine. Someday that bottle is going home w/​me.

OH. MY. GOD.
Earned its fifth star with the new management. A plethora of wine and other beverages. Clean, bright, organized. Beverages, both leaded and non leaded. Snack food and a few «convenience» type purchases.
They gave up on the janky selection of random, outdated, slightly sticky groceries they offered here, and have just turned into a liquor store. Pat, the helpful and friendly owner is great, and gets the concept of UPDATING.
This store is fabulous now, but honestly. .. I hope they keep the same super old, worn out sign out front.

The Pantry desperately needs to expand their beer selection. They need to keep abreast of the times and step into the future. As far as I can tell, they are missing out big time on growing enthusiasm for local craft brews.
Most of what they sell is mass produced «beer water». They have far too many varieties of such products, considering the fact they all taste alike.
There are only two exceptions: Sierra Nevada Pale and Goose Island 312. This is unacceptable. There needs to be a diverse selection for today’s more demanding beer culture.
The Pantry needs to step it up and consider catering to the growing demand for local craft brews. Metropolitan brewery is less than two miles away from the Pantry. Half Acre and Two Brothers aren’t exactly far either. Goose Island sells all kinds of beers that are far better than the lousy 312. Why not stock beers like this? The younger contingent of Bryn Mawr dwellers would snap these up in a heartbeat.
Edgewater, we deserve better. Tell the Pantry owners that they need to modernize their beer inventory.

I like eggs.
The Pantry sells «jumbo» eggs for $ 2.09, which is 10% cheaper than the «large» eggs sold at two other nearby stores, and a third cheaper than the evil Jewel-​Dominicks cabal.
The Pantry does not sell milk, because, as the lady explained to me, the dairies don’t take back unsold milk. So, she said, they sell only items that can be returned to the vendor if unsold, and that is how they remain price competitive.
I asked her what the egg vendor does with unsold eggs but she didn’t know.