Franklin-Nicollet Liquor Store

This is a liquor store that typically charges more than other places. Maybe not the most expensive in town, but I gave up on them a while ago. I maintain a list of scotch and beer prices at stores around town, and I see no reason to shop here when I can take an extra 10 minutes and go to Surdyk’s or Chicago-​Lake.

I have visited this place a few times to buy alcohol. I like that this is an easy place to find. There is a lot of lighting in their building heading that helps finding it become easier. That part of their business hasn’t changed in many years, but in their case, that’s a good thing. I think they placed the light and the heading in a perfect location of their business. Otherwise without it, I think it would be hard to find.
I love that I can walk in and out in a short period of time. Their alcohol is well-​organized and easy to find. They have a decent selection of wines and liquors that I enjoy drinking. Their merchandise is reasonably priced unlike some other local liquors stores.
The employees there are friendly and helpful when I’m around. I’ve been able to strike a good conversation with a couple of the cashiers on their slow times. The employees also appear to do a good job at keeping everything clean. The only thing about that that I would change is to watch a little closer on their busier times. I’ve had moments during their packed times that the cleanliness could have been better. Besides that, they seem to do a good job at their job performance.
My only other complaint about the place is the loiterers outside of the place, hence the 4-​star review. I think that management could manage them a little better. There have been times that I have felt nervous being around the place because of them.
All and all, this is a well-​run liquor store that I enjoy. When I’m in the area and need some more alcohol, I will continue business with them.

I was in search of a bottle of Jameson for a friend, and I decided to try out Nicollet-​Franklin in hopes of saving a few bucks over my neighborhood liquor store.
I noticed the organization of the store immediately upon entering – they had a whole wall of whiskeys with labels such as scotch, single malt, etc. It made finding what I was looking for super simple – which was great, because I had a Unilocal event I had to rush home and get ready for!
A few other notes…
The staff is super friendly.
The parking lot has ample room – so no parking on the streets.
…and the prices were just where I’d hoped they’d be – a welcome sight in the area!

I believe I once wrote if the Eat Street district was the Wu Tang Clan, then the area from Ping’s to just around the McDonald’s on 24^th and Nicollet would be the Ol’ Dirty Bastard section. Well, Nicollet-​Franklin Liquor Store would be the infamous footage of ODB cashing his welfare check while MTV filmed. Forget the kitschy drive-​thru signage, this place is grimy as a roach leg or the tip of a stank ass drifter’s dreadlock.
I stop through here and there when I’m in the area to grab a six-​peezy of dem Hamms. Without fail I witness a scene in the parking lot, near the entrance, or at the register. And yep, I anticipate and treasure each scene. Life, brehs — it’s out there lurking in the parking lots and at the registers of liquor stores. It can be distilled from that strange and ineffable moment when a one-​legged transsexual gets barked at by the store manager for trying to smuggle a Botabox of pinot grigio out the door, then falls face-​first into the newspaper stand… Such absurdity! Such power! Or the transient claiming «I got a thou-​wow in my pocket» as he purchases a single mega-​can of beer. The stories — as they say — write themselves.
The staff here is appropriately testy and sick of your bullsh*t. The television is often showing the Twins game. Occasionally a strange man will approach you in the parking lot and ask a seemingly tangential question like «you know where I could get a laptop?»
Maybe i have problems, but I love this kind of stuff.

This place is exactly what you’d expect from the liquor store by Stevens Square. It’s a bit shady, you never feel totally safe, but the staff are all nice and the prices are pretty cheap. The selection could be better, but the store itself isn’t very big so you can’t expect them to have everything. In general, they will have what you need. If you’re looking for some relatively popular alcohol and are in the neighborhood, this is your place! Other than that, I can’t think of a good reason you’d come here.

How is it that this liquor store didn’t have a review on here yet?
This place is ALWAYS busy. It’s such a great little place because they have a huge selection for the neighborhood, and they aren’t as overpriced as Greenway is!
I am a usual here :-)

For a while, Nicollet/​Franklin was my regular liquor store. I never really had a problem with it then, it was a smaller place so they didn’t have everything, and of course what they do have costs more than I’d like to pay. I can understand the division, the places I go to when I want something simple and I want it quick, and the places I go to when I want something a littler harder to find or think I can get a better deal.
When I moved a couple blocks west, Hum’s became my regular place. They’re actually probably equally close to me, but Hum’s is closer to other stuff I walk to, so it seems to fit into my routine better. Sorry, NicFrank. It wasn’t you, it was me.
I happened to bump into NicFrank the other day, swung in for six pack (and walked out with a 12. Sound familiar?)
Ah, liquor nostalgia. But hey, what’s this? They’ve expanded the beer selection. Now they have a big fridge or two of more exotic microwbrews and Belgians. So that was a cool little discovery.
The balance may be tipped a little back in NicFrank’s favor. I’ll have to remember that when I aim to make a quick run.

One of the consequences of living in the Steven’s Square Area is the sad history (and relatively still existent) alcoholic Native population. What this seems to mean is there are no bars in the immediate area. The nearest seems to be Rudolph’s over on Lyndale, and it really is a part of the Uptown culture. The next best thing would be Nicollet-​Franklin Liquor Store.
The outside is a remnant of the 50’s. A large neon sign guides your way, adding to the charm. The location, however, gives this relic a fairly creepy vibe. Driving into the parking lot is like a real life paperboy game with people and cars jumping out at you. The people in the immediate look a little rundown and only add to the creepy factor.
Once you run inside, all is well. While I have not personally had a Cheers moment, I don’t doubt that it is possible. The interior is well kept, with a decent, although not exhaustive, selection. The people inside are as eclectic as the neighborhood. From hipster bicyclist buying PBR to the Wheelchair-​ridden Vet buying a 40, everyone is part of this atmosphere. The Twins game is usually on, and the workers and patrons will pause if there is a big moment.
The neighborhood may not have a local place to meet and greet, but Nicollet-​Franklin Liquors seems to try and fill the void. And for that, I applaud them.

I’m not here to say much. Let it be known that this is my favorite liquor store in Mpls. Only one reason: They’re open until 10.

They have black label and premium. And they usually have a good game on the small tv in the upper corner. Staff is decent if not good. Don’t think there is as much crack as there used to be in the parking lot. Gentrification is a long word folks. Then again this corner is still just a bit on the dicey side. All in all it the location is what makes it four stars and not three.