Choice Korner

Choice Korner is across from lincoln school. it’s the neighborhood store where kids buy their candies, ice cream, chips, etc. after school.
the rest of the store is for the adults: beer, grocery items, hard liquor, lotto machine, atm machine, etc.
pour: magmum premium malt (16oz, 6%, 1,50)
–by millers, pretty strong stuff, smooth, no bite, good for washing down salty food. 3 stars
on draught:
–not much beer selection, mostly mainstream.
–some priced, some not.
–4 stars for convenience, few liquor outlets in chitown.
–store is clean, uncluttered, cashier friendly…

All the kids from Lincoln know that Choice Korner is an institution! Jerry and Betty were the best. They made it a point to know their customers by name and knew what they liked. They loved the kids and the neighborhood. Since i’ve moved… I miss the tu-​tones, the sundaes with the wooden spoons, buying individual tootsie rolls and the COMIC BOOKS…
I went there once about a year ago and the new owner seemed pretty friendly, but he has definitely modernized the place. They now have an atm which .I guess is a good thing for people like me who never carry cash these days.
PS BTW, I heard Jerry couldn’t part with the pinball machine when he retired… too bad!!!

I takes classes at Laney and visit this store frequently. The first family owned and operated this store from it previous location accross street where the laundry mat is now. They were in business for a long time, then sold it to a Taiwanese couple. The 2^nd owner didn’t know how to run a mom and pop business and almost destroyed this beautiful, conviennience store.
The 3^rd owner came in about 4 years ago and completely changed things around. They began to stock the shelfs with goods (it was bare emply when the Taiwannese folks ran it). They brought in Lottery, a ATM, wines, beers, liquors and many new products that kids and government workers around the area liked. They are very friendly and always open to suggestions from new customer. This store is very clean and neat. Brian (the store clerk) mops the floor everyday and organized /​put store’s goods in alphabet order. I. E: you can view the entire candies or liquors selections simply going from A to Z.
I love this place. They have a large selection of chips, burritos, juices etc…
It’s a nice oasis for me when I’m in needs of a home like environment to chill out after class or to pick up some nutrients before class. Oh, they also accept EBT and have fresh coffee (Brian grind Starbuck’s coffee beans and make new batch every morning).
I highly recommend this store… Visit them and you’ll see why !

It’s not often that I’d choose to review the corner store, but this place is sweet. If you happen to drop in around 3:00 or so on a weekday, you’ll see why.
Owner, Brian Nguyen, has cornered the candy market in Oakland. His aisle of candy extends the length of the store. It’s an amazing collection.
You should see the throngs of children coming in after school. So fun!!!
And, for the adults, he’s got a wall full of adult beverages for sale… an unbelievable collection at unbelievable prices.
What’s great about Brian is that he’s listening to people to see what they want. After I mentioned that I’d like to see some wine in the store, it appeared, *Presto*! And at an unbelievable price. I’m going to be his best customer!
I just had to buy some of the candy today as well. Great stuff!
Choice Korner is on 10^th and Jackson in Chinatown.

Wow, do I miss Nick’s in San Francisco!!! (
)
I just moved in near this place and was looking for somewhere I could buy some beer. They close early early early for a liquor store (which I’m not even sure is what they are?), like 7 o’clock early, which sucks since I work til 9 most nights. So I went early and was totally kind of taken aback by what I saw.
Um, there definitely aren’t pinball machines there anymore. Just SO MUCH candy, A LOT of malt liquor, a really picked-​over selection of beer, and a couple varieties of microwavable food.
I think they charge to use credit cards, or have a lower limit for using them. The guy there was really almost eerily friendly and didn’t charge me, though. (That’s not legal, btw.)

(Note — this review is based on the former owners Richard and Family. I have no idea whats going on there now).
I practically lived in this store at one time. Playing the pinball machines, then the video games (getting beat downs by the little kids at Samauri Shodown). The family was sooooo nice and so personable. I still see them sometimes and they haven’t forgotten me.
I have been in there twice since Richard and family retired, but it isn’t the same. The people are friendly enough, but they aren’t like Richard was. Richard knew what I liked and he knew I would buy on a consistent basis — he would stock those items if I asked. These new people do not care. I asked them for specific items that I would buy in quantity and they just didn’t get the clue. After seeing that they could care less, I just stopped going back.
I can’t knock the new owners, I’m sure they are nice enough — but they aint no Richard!