American Market

Dishonest employees here, so be sure to double check your scratcher lottery tickets yourself and not just take their word for it; they tried to cheat me.

I’m at this corner store at least 5 times a week for beer, candy, energy drinks, and other vices. It’s just a couple of blocks from home, and I like that the staff let me bring my small dog into the store. The guys that work here are always very friendly, and I’m happy to spend my money here, even though I have 3 other convenient stores that are equidistant to home! The only thing that I don’t love about it here is the 50 cent surcharge for using card.

I love this store! owner is a doll! I only wish they were bigger and had a full liquor license.

What does one need at a corner market? Well, list them off and they’ve got them. Add a pretty friendly crew, not only staying open after the black out with a line out the door but also cashing a check so we could get some stuff and some cash — and you’ve got my American Market! Is it overpriced? I have no idea… I don’t really check prices when I need butter and white wine and I need it now! Extra .50 on all cards kinda sucks but, it’s convenient.

Overpriced and the ownership is a little douchie sometimes. However, they have a good selection of beer and wine for anything else not so much. If they would lower the price it would be better.

The man that usually works there in the mornings is actually a very kind man. The store is okay. I live just down the street and for game days its easy for me to just run down the street and pick up a few packs of beer. The only thing about this place is make sure you read the expiration date. I’ve gone in there the past few times and found supplies such as juices, health bars, etc. to be expired by at least 6 months. Keep an eye out.

I have been inspired to review based on the other reviews here. In 2004 a guy worked here (part of the same family who still does, I believe) who ended up moving to Vegas. That was a shame. That guy made the place — he made it what it is described in other reviews: a local, we-​know-​your-​name, we-​watch-​your-​kids-​grow-​up kind of place. They let you know if your favorite wine is on sale. They smile and make conversation.
As soon as he moved this place went downhill. I noticed the dusty shelves, the old product, the lame wine prices — all of which were there before, but new to me because what was good about the place was gone. The new cousins (?) manning the place were pissed about being there, pissed about you coming in, pissed about having to interact with you — even though they made sure that required no verbal activity.
This place is only cool because it is the only commercial endeavor in, the residential enclave it sits in. Otherwise it sucks, and, as a fundamentalist practitioner of local patronage, I would still rather go to a 7 – 11 on El Cajon Blvd.
All that said, I have not been in a while, so if it has changed, great. However, methinks not.

You might call them bodegas, corner stores, neighborhood markets, corner shops, or convenience stores depending on where you grew up. I call them lifesavers.
We bought a huge (30 lb.) turkey for Thanksgiving which doesn’t fit in our refrigerator for obvious reasons. So instead of refrigerating it, we are keeping it in an ice chest and adding ice daily to keep it cold. Only today we forgot. Along rolls 9:00 pm and I get the flash…“OH SHIT, WE NEED ICE!” So I jump in the car and head on down to American Market.
I walk in an the guy behind the counter greets me just like he always does with a «Hi Buddy!» I ask where the ice is and he points it out. I grab three bags, pay for it with a debit card and head off with a cheerful goodnight wish from the shopkeep.
Back at home, ice in the cooler and turkey disaster averted, I am thankful that people still own small shops like this… just in case.
Oh BTW, they have a large selection of adult beverages, ice cream, chips and candy bars if you are so inclined.

These little markets are the so fun.
The Corner Store, as Jonathan Richman might sing …
Anyway, American Market is awesome. It is the usual fair … beer, wine, general groceries. What I really like is the people who work here. They are just good folk.
So stop in for an Ice Cream Bar. A candy. Some ice cold Chocolate Mike (this is what I get here almost every time … as it is the last stop on the way home after long bike rides … and there is nothing quite as delicious as Chocolate Milk after a long bike ride).
Yay.

Once again, another wonderful short walk.
I need eggs? No problem. Need Milk? Ham? Water? Laundry Detergent? No worries.
I walk and I get it and it’s great.
Granted, you’re paying for the short walk and the convenience as it is slightly more expensive then heading the the Vons down the street, but soooo worth it — especially on those hot days when you HAVE to HAVE an ice cream and don’t want to get in your car!