Marlee Liquor Mart

Marlee’s is probably the the high point of the ghetto-​ass strip mall at W. Florida and Tennyson, but that isn’t saying much. Their prices are a bit steep for a place with bars on the windows ($ 14 for a 12-​pack of Mich Ultra), but they’re made up for by the super-​nice guy behind the counter.
He’s clearly not of Latino descent, but he was stumbling through a transaction in broken Spanish to the Mexican gent in front of me in line with earnest diligence. When I stepped up to the counter he smiled broadly and proudly explained that he was learning Spanish. He then complimented me on my wallet (a recycled Bobby Brown cassette, which I made because I’m awesome like that), and we shot the breeze as he rang me up. It’s so nice when people actually TALK, you know? Too many people are all stiff and silent business nowadays. This guy was a real breath of fresh air.
Of note: along with your basic schwag beers and more-​common micros, you can also buy wine (fortified and non) and the hard stuff here. They’ve even got a section of shelving dedicated to «cordials.» You know, for when you’re feeling all classy and shit.