Sand Dune Liquor Store

I’ve lived down the street from this liquor store for the past eight years, and I’ve shopped here a number of times. Customer service has never been warm and friendly, but I don’t need to be friends with the people behind the counter. Yesterday, on the way home from work, I decide to stop by. As I was trying to decide whether to get a whiskey or wine, I walked through the aisles to see the wine selection. As I walked, I noticed the guy behind the counter was eyeing me like a hawk, and as I moved from one aisle to the next, he would move behind the counter to be in a direct line of sight, never taking his eyes away. It was quite obvious what he was doing. As I was still looking, another man walked in the store, but the guy behind the counter still kept his eyes on me and allowed the other guy to walk freely throughout the store without his unflinching surveillance.
Was it racial profiling? It sure felt like it. And if it was, you have a right to do it. It’s just sad that you make it so obvious. You lost a customer.

The Sand Dune (or Sandune) Liquor Store has been a minor Playa Del Rey landmark of sorts for many years. As a kid, I remember resourcefully acquiring yummy Hostess glazed fruit pies at Sand Dune (under a different name) while on breaks from surfing my longboard at nearby «Toes» beach. Since then, my infrequent stops at Sand Dune have more than repaid my shoplifting debt due to what I’ll call «last stop before the beach mark ups» for beverages and snacks.

My experience at Sand Dune the other day, knocked all the stars possible off of my review. I was coming back from a job in Venice. It was an exceptionally hot and sticky day. There was tons of traffic along the way. All day, I kept thinking I needed an ice cold beer and a dose of fresh sea breeze to take the edge off. On my way strategically south, I stopped at Sand Dune. Inside, I spied the owner working and gave him a friendly «howdy-​do.» He said nothing in return.
I purchased a lone beer with the requisite «beach mark-​up.» No matter, I’d take a cold one at any price. My beer sat on the counter as I waited for a bag. I was fully aware in greater L.A. there’s a single-​use plastic bag ban. That’s cool, just break out the classic #4 brown paper lunch sack and I’m on my way.
Mazen Hanoun (the owner who was later identified by public record and a social media picture profile) looks away and fiddles as he waits for me to leave. It feels a bit awkward. When I politely ask for a bag, he turns to me and abruptly snaps, «No bag!» In that moment, I can only think of Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi saying, «No soup for you!»
My analysis is as follows:
1. Mazen doesn’t understand the concept of customer service. He has zero business acumen. He could care less if you came back. The «last stop liquor store» is an outpost that doesn’t require repeat customers.
2. Mazen idolizes the Soup Nazi.
3. Mazen thought I insulted him by using my folksy «howdy-​do» greeting.
4. Mazen thinks «howdy-​do» refers to the act of a dog planting his ass on the carpet and scooting around in a figure eight pattern.
5. Mazen doesn’t know about Unilocal’s crowd sourced review system. He thinks Unilocal is nothing more than the sound a dog makes when its ass scoots on carpet.
Mazen — Let me be the first person to welcome to Unilocal.Howdy-​do!
Finally, Mazen, here’s a tip for you. Should you choose to buy brown paper bags for your customers to carry their merchandise. You can buy 4 pound brown paper bags on
. It is $ 10.65 for 500 bags. Such a deal!

Your usual neighborhood joint.
I used to come here quite a bit in my drunk days (how can you drink all day if you don’t start in the morning?) on my way to some drunken beach excursion or other adventure.
Convenient location as the liquor store just before you get to Fista (er, Vista…) del Mar. Get your drinks here, enjoy by the beach and elsewhere.

I went to Sand Dune today to buy my five-​year-​old a snack before her piano lesson. We got the snack, went to the register, but I did not have my money! It had fallen out of my pocket in the car, my car was three blocks away! Zack, was gracious enough to let us get the snack anyway! I was so surprised and thankful. He said, «Don’t worry about it!» I said, «I’ll be back by 2:15!» He said, «No, it’s OK». I went back and paid anyway, I said, «Thank you so much! You didn’t have to do that, I appreciate it!» He said, «Don’t worry, you are welcome!». I was truly touched and thankful for Zack’s kindness.

I was pleased to see the store was open when, being 8 months pregnant, I needed some milk and water at 8am in the morning. I took my items to the counter and they totaled $ 3.00. I presented my debit/​credit card and was told that I needed to buy more (at least $ 5) or he would charge me $ 5 for my $ 3 items. I then asked if there was a bank/​atm so I could use cash instead… he pointed out that the store’s atm was broken. Stores are not allowed to have a minimum purchase so this store is violating the policies of both the better business bureau and credit card companies. I have reported them so hopefully they will change their policy.

I’d give it a higher review if it wasn’t so damn expensive… but what do you expect in a nice neighborhood next to the beach?
Gotta love the local liquor store. I used to come here all the time on my way to the beach. and now that I live down the street I make it my local stop for stuff I’m too lazy to buy at the store plus the little 1 $ plastic bottles of tequila that are easy to hide in your soda at work … not that I partake in such activities, just saying.
It’s got a pretty wide selection for a liquor store. Expensive and cheap wine, all stores of spirits, beer, energy drinks, juice and soda. Plus it’s got the basic milk and other stuff you’re better off buying at the little market down the street. It’s a one-​stop shop for chips and sunscreen and magazines before you hit the beach.
Plus, the guys who work in the store are always super nice and helpful…

This place is the equal to a last chance gas stop before a long trip. If you didn’t buy your pop or booze before hitting the beach. well, you’re in luck here.
They’re the basic liquor store which offers up slightly more than average costing drinks, beers, and packaged snacks that you may need while you’re at the beach. Really, it’s the utility back up before you go there and of course, if you’re at the beach and missing something, you can come here without spending too much time trying to find a ralphs or vons.
So it’s great for when you need that one or two cold ones while you’re on a lunch break and hitting the beach for your eating setting.
The higher prices sets it back to just a-​ok. Really, this is the last chance exit on the highway to beach fun.