Chandanie Ramsahai
HMGT 2402
Professor Goodlad
April 3, 2014

Leiser’s Liquors has been a family owned wine and liquor store since 1947. It is located at 41-30 162^nd Street, Flushing, New York 11358. The store is opened seven days a week from 9:30AM to 9:00PM Monday to Friday and various hours on Saturday and Sunday. Leiser’s Liquors was a single unit storefront that moved to the corner of 162^nd Street and had two expansions in 1983 and 2003. It is now over 3500 square feet and they have a large selection of over 4500 items. When visiting a wine and liquor store that has such a huge selection of items one might become overwhelmed if they are not knowledgeable with wines and spirits.

When first walking into Leiser’s I was taken back at how large the store is. There were eight aisles divided into sixteen sections front and back. Each section was clearly labeled with a sign stating what was in each. The front of the store in aisle one was Scotch and Cognac, aisle two was vodka, aisle four pre-made cocktails, aisle five red Italian, aisle six red California, aisle seven French winesand champagne and aisle eight was dessert wines, port wines, and French wines. The back of the store in aisle one was bourbon and jug wines, aisle two was rum, tequila andgin, aisle three was wines from Australia and New Zealand, aisle four had cordials, aisle five had Italian white, aisle six California wines, aisle seven German wines, champagne and wines from Portugal. Towards the back of the store there are all the Sutter Home, Arbor Mist, Barefoot and Beringer wines.

The layout of the store provides customers with a sense of direction. If I had never taken a wine course I would not know where to begin and I would not know what to ask the employees, which were very scarce. There was one man stocking shelves, a younglady at the register as well as an older man. No one really paid any attention to me or asked if I needed help as I walked around. The store was very busy with different types and ages of people. An older couple pushing their cart around seemed to be regulars as they knew exactly what they wanted and what aisles to find them in. It wasn’t until I got to the aisle with the man stocking shelves was I asked if I needed help. That was about fifteen minutes after I had been in the store. I explained that I am taking a wine class and I was here to research and write an assignment on my experience at a wine store. He told me I had come to the right place since they have a large selection. I asked if I could take pictures and he replied, “Yes, if you need anything else or have any questions please let me know.”

The most expensive wines they had were red wines the first being an Opus One Napa Valley Red 2006 priced at $599.99. The second highest price wine is the Gaja Sori San Lorenzo 2006 from Piedmont Italy. There was also a Sandemean Tawny Port 40 years old listed at $119.99 a bottle. The lowest prices ranged from $5 for a Barefoot Merlot to a $5 Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc. Overall, I was very impressed with the size of the store. It could use some renovations and upgrades but the selection was grand. The staff could be more interact with the customers in making sure they are finding what they need because not everyone will just say they need help.

Visiting a retail wine shop has made me realize how much knowledge I have gained during this semester. I am more aware of what I am looking for and I am able to read a wine label properly. I also have some kind of expectation when choosing a bottle of wine. Leiser’s Liquors may be a store that I visit in the future it was just a little bit of a commute for me.