Around the Corner Liquor Store

I went in to buy some firewood and the owner charged me an extra dollar for no reason. I asked him what it was for and he said it was a fee for using my debit card. When I said that seemed excessive, he refused to look me in the eye but muttered something about everyone charging for debit cards. I told him I didn’t know of any stores that charged that much and he seemed like he was ripping me off. So I told him to cancel the sale and walked out. This guy can not be trusted. Do not shop here.

Love this place! Right across the street from my house the owner and is wife… amazing! The brother not so much lol. Definitely my go to!

Where’s the negative star ratings? –5 Stars still wouldn’t do this place justice. This was my second time here for a propane tank exchange. Today (06SEP15/12:30pm) I wanted to get a propane tank fill/​exchange but the counter guy apparently didn’t want my business. This place would be convenient since I’m literally around the corner but I WILL NEVER RETURN and recommend Unilocal’ers do so as well. This was the worst customer service experience I can remember probably ever. Now I know what your thinking, it’s a liquor store, what do you expect?
Upon walking in, there were 3 customers and the guy at the counter was noticeably struggling with the credit card machine ringing up a customer. He was literally jabbing a pen into the cc machine with furious anger. As I stood there waiting quietly, the look of impatience grew on the counter guy as he finally told the customer «you got cash?» The customer said he could use the in store ATM and asked how much for processing. Counter guy replies in a whisper tone «3 bucks» to which the customer wasn’t too thrilled but proceeded to use the ATM.
As I still stood there waiting first in line, the other two customers together placed their items on the counter. Counter guy tells me, I have to help all the other customers first before you. At this point more customers walked in, so I assumed it would be a while. I asked the counter guy, if you can’t sell propane, I get it, to which he replied «whatever you want to do… go.»
So basically he refused service to me for no other reason than simply trying to give them business. Weird how this place is still in business unless people feel the need to pay for crap service to keep a local place around.
Do yourselves a favor and go to 7 – 11 diagonally across the street where the guys are friendly. Or, if you need propane, go up the street a couple blocks to the 76 Gas station on Sterns/​Palo Verde where workers are helpful and propane tanks are actually filled, which is cheaper than a canister exchange.
If the guy working today is the owner or even part owner of Around The Corner Liquor Store, how is this place not a lost cause to the neighborhood by now? If he is an employee, he needs to be fired and look for a job without any interaction with people.

I love this place.
Yes its a little run down and old, but its also privately owned and has been there for as long as I can remember.
If you like liquor and cigars there is always something there for you. My Dad comes here all the time to grab a beer and the owner knows both of us by name, and is always unfailingly friendly.
A great place if you want to support a local business.

Great customer service, always friendly and has great prices! Great place for great champagne. The guy that works there always remembers and treats his regulars well.

Great little liquor store that I have been coming to for my entire life. The owner and his brother are cool and give good wine recommendations. Great place to pick up a bottle of wind for a good price.
However, if you want groceries, go to a grocery store — not here, its too expensive for those type of items. Its a great place to see neighbors too.

This place is where you go when you know what’s up! The owner is helpful and friendly and this place always has the best deals in town!
Emma & Robbie

If you go to CSULB you gotta come here. They hook it up. Good parking, good prices, good service.
–Rob and Emma

I have been their customer ever since my Fraternity moved in around the corner. They have fair prices and a huge variety of beer and liquor. They just need more Evans beer!

My boyfriend and I always come here when we’re looking for drinks. We live nearby, parking is easy, their hours fit our schedule, and the employees are always so friendly and welcoming.

Just moved into the neighborhood. This is a great little store that’s nearby. The prices for beer are good and the staff is very friendly.

I like this place. Easy parking, always quick. I love craft beer and he’s usually always got a few things some other stores don’t have. All around, nice selection I don’t drink much wine or liquor but it looks there’s quite a bit of both…

Why waste your money at this place? You’ll be treated better anywhere else
The customer service is terrible. I’d rather go some where else

Easy in and easy out — that’s what I love about this place.
The guys that work here are nice — they have lots of selections — they have drive thru parking spots (since I can’t waste my time backing out of my spot, this is perfect!, helps me get in and out of here faster — lol) — and they are located in an easy to get to spot.
Be forewarned — I think it’s like $ 1 to $ 1.50 to use a credit card — I’ve been charged both prices (but they don’t tell you that or have an obvious sign up) and last time I was there, I noticed the guy rounded my «bill» up to an even number (not that the penny is killing me, it’s just surprising to me that he did it).
Overall: I come here when I’m in a rush (obviously) but I don’t go out of my way to get here.

This liquor store LOVES to change the price on their items. I bought an Iced tea (99 cents) and I used my credit card and i ended up paying about 3 dollars for it, I asked why and he said because there was an extra charge for using plastic. I did not care at the time because I was so thirsty and I didn’t have any cash on me. I went a few more times and bought the same drink but this time I had cash and it was $ 1.10, then I went again and now it was $ 1.20. I know it’s only a few cent difference but let’s be professional here and charge consistently. This place may be convenient but they sure as hell aren’t trustworthy. Who knows, you could be overpaying for some of their things.
I dont recommend going here.. . at all.

Nice selection of pale ales and IPAs. Best price I’ve seen on Samuel Smith beers in Long Beach. Recently upgraded their cooler unit so the beer is nice and cold now. The owners (two brothers) are friendly guys who live in the neighborhood, recognize returning customers, and take the time to learn and remember your name.

This retailer charges customers a fee to pay by credit card.
«No retailer… may impose a surcharge on a cardholder who elects to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check or similar means…» — Statute: Cal. Civ. Code 1748.1(a) (West)

Super Convenient if you live in the Cal State Area and don’t want to have to drive to the grocery store or CVS for liquor if you are hosting a party and run out of libations — EEK!
This is the one right next to the 24 hour Kinko’s off of Atherton.
This is the only liquor store close to Cal State on Palo Verde that carries hard liquor and doesn’t overcharge TOO much for all of it. In fact they do have specials on occasion.
Candy raid before the movies are pretty good here too.
Check out the dollar bin for mini liquor bottles. They also have the cutest little $ 2.50 Patron Bottles!

It really has everything I look for in a liquor store; it literally is around the corner from my house, it has liquor, smokes, and snacks if I feel so inclined. The cashiers always recognize my boyfriend and I and are very friendly. I don’t even mind that they try to sell me the tequila in a bottle shaped like a penis. Prices could be better but for the convenience, it’s usually worth it.