Lake Orion — When I lived in Virginia, it was annoying to have to go to the Alcoholic Beverage Control store run by the state. Thankfully, Michigan’s three-tier alcohol distribution system isn’t as restrictive, but finding a particular bottle of fine bourbon this summer can be hard.
Take Blanton’s, for example. You’re not going to find it in aisles of your local Meijer or Kroger. In such stores, you’d be hard-pressed to find Old Tub Unfiltered or even the budget-friendly Quality House from Heaven Hill.
There’s a small chance you could find a bottle at a Meijer with a big selection, but I’ve only seen these bottles available in local liquor stores, where you can find treasures if you’re willing to go off the beaten path. You also get the benefit of supporting local businesses.
Kevin has been at Orion Market for 38 years. He’s seen kids who came in with their parents now come in with their own children. On my first visit, he told me he could get something ordered for me if I didn’t see it on the shelves.
“We aim to serve the neighborhood,” he told me.
The aisles are small. It’s dimmer in here than at the new Meijer down the road. Here, you talk with Kevin or Amir at the checkout instead of just handing over your ID to scan.
Here, you get to know the guys behind the counter. Kevin knows his stuff, and he’s here to help. There’s wine and beer, a few grocery staples to get you through in a pinch, and a small humidor for cigars. Cigarettes are behind the counter.
The first time I ever saw Blanton’s in a shop was far off the beaten path on a family vacation in Thompsonville, not far from Crystal Mountain.
Archer Country Store is one-part Tractor Supply Company and one-part convenience store.
There was a box with Blanton’s on it above the shelf price of $160, if I remember correctly. I bought the bottle, kicking myself for not using cash. (The 5% convenience fee really added up at that price.)
When I got home from vacation, I realized the local store around the corner had it too.
It’s not going to be as cheap as buying your bourbon at a big store like Total Wine or Costco, but there’s more variety and more heart with these local establishments. They have to keep the lights on, and it’s a luxury product.
I think of the markup as a sign of appreciation for a neighborhood establishment, a small vote of confidence for the mom-and-pop shop over corporate cleansing.
The best stuff out there isn’t cheap and the best place to find it is right around the corner.
Brendan Clarey is deputy editor of Michigan Enjoyer.
