The Brothers Market

They have so much stuff in such a tiny place! Run out of baking powder/​corn starch/​vanilla/​avocados/​what have you, they got it. Some of the dry goods are a little less fresh, but their produce, while limited, tends to be pretty fresh. (May depend on the day, though.) As with most little stores in this neck of the woods, they always have interesting pastries (maybe Brazilian?)
Prices seem as good or better than Shaw’s.
Parking (if you’re not walking) is usually available out front on Cambridge Street (meters).
In general:
+2 stars for being conveniently located and having a ton of inventory
+1 star for having good prices
+1 star for them being friendly, local peeps

I had to send a money transfer last week and the Western Union site told me this was the closest location to where i work. This is a very tiny store but they do a little of everything in it. The shelves were crammed, they had Western Union, lottery, phone cards, so much stuff in so little space. The cashier was very friendly and prompt. 10 minutes later I was on my way down the street smiling eating an Andes ice cream sandwich. What can I say I am greedy and it was hot… lol.

If you can’t find it in here, it does not exist. They pack so much into this tiny place that it is almost impossible to move around in, especially if you have a wonderfully normal female figure or dare to attempt it with a baby stroller. Forget it there. If you need a cold soda, paper towels or a pink candle with a flattering picture of the Pope, they have it all. Better avacados than Shaw’s. And definitely something going on with the scratch ticket crowd. Major action there. I love this place. Just need to go on a diet so I can fit down the aisles more gracefully.

Hey, listen: this is important information. They have Choco Tacos! Should you be in East Cambridge and suddenly NEED a Choco Taco (hey, it happens) you’ll know exactly where to come. You’re welcome.
Also they have other convenience store items, many of questionable origin. The edibles all seem to be within date which is more than I can say for the Shaw’s down the street. The trouble is finding anything. the place is so packed with whos-​a-​ma-​whatz-​its, thing-​a-​ma-​bobs, and things I can’t pronounce that it’s a tad overwhelming.
On the baked goods shelf they often have conchas. These take me back. Grandma LOVED them and really tried to get me to love them. Sadly that didn’t work out. But I know that I can visit them every now and then an look back on those days fondly.
You should peep the paper strip that apparently (maybe in the 70s?) held pacifiers. How convenient that strip of binkies must have been several decades ago. Random.
There is usually someone scratching tickets in the doorway (what is it with scratch tickets here?) and someone yelling about Mass Millions up front. This can be inconvenient if you are on a Choco Taco mission; but fear not, taco-​y goodness is at hand and for a mere $ 1.75. Woohoo!
So yeah, go. Get your taco on. Live well.

Two STARS!!!
This is my corner store. I come here for lottery tix and cigs. That’s IT!!!
Why? Why you ask???
I saw a three pack of choco choco chip cookie move on their own.
They have these white balls of something in some juice marinating, in what looks like a drink cooler. They have been there since I moved to the neighborhood. Almost five years ago.