Ernies Center Beverage

July 23, 2008
Ambiance is definitely lacking in this place, but its to be expected. This is not a beer lovers store, but has a decent selection when compared with most other beverage stores in the area or the local gas station. They do seem to carry Great Lakes pretty consistently, something not all stores in the are do. Since its only 2 miles from my place I stop by occasionally after picking Burger King or Wendy’s.

January 8, 2008
(Visited 03/2006): Ernie’s is in the middle of the Shore Center shopping plaza on Lakeshore/E. 222nd. The lot is large so parking should not be a problem. The exterior of the store is kind of off-putting between the cigarette ads, lotto signs and steel bars. At a glance you would not think to look here for beer. Inside, the store is very small and cramped. The beer is in coolers on the right side and there is some at room temperature in a couple other places. As far as selection goes, it is not very impressive. Aside from 4 GLBC beers, a couple Sam Adams seasonals and mix packs there isn’t much to choose from. This is mostly due to space constrictions. The singles were mostly of the 40oz variety. The service is good, this is one of those stores where the owner works there every day and knows his regular customers and treats everyone who walks through the doors well. Overall this is not a place I would frequent except to grab a GLBC beer. They don’t really have room to stock the latest and greatest, and probably can’t afford to take any chances on using the space for a lot of variety. While they make do with that they have, it would be nice to see a little more variety in an area that probably doesn’t have much else in the way of craft beer.