GS MARKET

The Vernor's sign out front says it all. GS Market just south of Lincoln on Woodward in Royal Oak is a traditional liquor store which carries wine, beer, soda, cigarettes, and snack items, but what makes the market a Royal Oak favorite is its wide selection of local products including Vernor's, Faygo, Better Made Chips and locally brewed beers. The building in which GS Market sits was built in 1938 and while it has changed hands four different times, the current owner and family have operated GS Market out of the building since 1976.

Personally I don't think enough stores in the metro Detroit area carry a sufficient amount, but GS Market takes its Faygo products seriously. Cans of Faygo including flavors such as Grape, Moon Mist, Cola, Orange Soda and of course Red Pop are offered, along with glass bottles of Red Pop, Orange Soda, Vanilla Creme and Root Beer. Better Made products such as pork rinds, wavy chips, orignal, caramel popcorn and the party mix are available.

As for beer, the selection is great. Of course GS Market carries the normal name brand beers, but the store also carries a multitude of beers from local breweries along with lesser known beers from other parts of the country. Liquor is shelved along the front wall behind the counter and most standard liquors of your choice are displayed.

The local products at GS Market are an obvious draw, and their selection of beverages, whether it be alcoholic or otherwise definitely are more plentiful than many of the "convenience" stores from the Metro Detroit area, but besides those, albeit, important factors, there is nothing special per se about GS. Yet, every time I drive by I find myself stopping in, even when I don't have anything particular in mind to buy.

It's unclear though what exactly the future holds for GS Market. I was told by one of the owners that they plan on remodeling the entire store within the next couple months and change the format. The new GS Market will be re modelded and re branded as an upscale wine shop. I was assured though that the products made (or formerly made) in Detroit will still be available for purchase. Unfortunatley though, the great Vernor's sign which is displayed so prominently out in front will be coming down. I sincerely hope the impressive selection of local products that GS Market currently carries do not suffer the same fate.

Below are photos from the store, along with a link to the entire flickr set.

GS Market Flickr Set





GS Market
25852 Woodward Ave.
Royal Oak, MI
48067-0910
Phone: 248-541-0212

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