The simply named Corner Mart at the corner of 8th Avenue NW and NW 85th Street is closed and it appears it is being renovated, judging by what can be seen through the window. Bluestone LLC has applied for a liquor license to sell beer, wine and kegs.
Tonya added some more detail, writing to us, “just wanted to report that last week the Corner Mart was closed for business. At some point throughout this weekend, it looks like the store was emptied and security bars on the windows removed.”
29 responses so far ↓
1 ballardmike // Jan 18, 2010 at 11:07 am
nice to see that place cleaned up… at least temporarily. new owners??
2 Alysse // Jan 18, 2010 at 11:50 am
I would be really happy if the new owners did NOT sell alcohol at all. That store is a blight on the corner, and the last thing we need is another market whose primary purpose is to dispense alcohol.
3 Trix // Jan 18, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Oh, yes. Now people will have to cross the street to buy booze.
Closing this little store won’t solve the problems in Greenwood and the woman who worked behind the counter here is a very sweet woman who is now out of a job.
4 SPG // Jan 18, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Gentrification! Woot!
5 20feet // Jan 18, 2010 at 2:02 pm
I am so happy that this place is changing hands, I know that means the family that owned the Corner mart now have to find another way to make a living. But really the place was a dump, and they didn’t sell anything most people want. I once bought a bottle of wine there that had gone bad. And they frequently sold booze to the local vagrants knowing full well that said vagrants would then consume the booze behind the mart, and also use that alley as a toilet. I also suspect that the vagrants or someone, maybe the business, sold other more intense drugs. We once saw vagrant get off a bus to go there and get something. Really who takes a bus to a specific mart when there are lots of other places that sell the same crud. Sounds questionable to me. Plus the many vagrants who pass out completely behind the mart. You don’t want to know how many times I have had to call the police/medics because of their activity or lack of activity.. I just hope the new owners do not sell cheap malt liquor to the vagrants.
Very excited to see the junk gone and new windows and doors! If they have a good selection of wine and beer they will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood.
6 Whopper // Jan 18, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Gentrification! Woot woot!
7 GreenwoodGal // Jan 18, 2010 at 5:05 pm
That place was a mess. Graffiti that never got cleaned up, trash, you name it. Here’s hoping the new owners take more pride in ownership
8 skiplogic // Jan 18, 2010 at 5:32 pm
The owners used to make deals with the vagrants for cleaning work when they didn’t have enough cash for a can of 211, that’s why it was preferable to the shell station across the street.
9 Guest // Jan 18, 2010 at 6:58 pm
So who bought it? What’s it going to be? Please, please, please say it was Jimmy from Top Bannana! Wouldn’t it be great if he had another place in the ‘hood to buy fresh produce?! The current location is nice & not far away, but walking a block or two for great veggies would be even better. Then, you could pick up your beer or wine at the mart across the street if you want such items. Et voila! Dinner is served.
10 Tahomajim // Jan 18, 2010 at 9:31 pm
I’m not a drunk nor do I favor prohabition. I do object to reformed alcoholics like Alysse spouting off about those who are responsible social drinkers. Everone has a vice, be it booze, sex, pot, chocolate, etc. Again, that’s everybody.
This blog is akin to those zoo haters who want to save the elephants and destroy our zoo. Just a bunch of over 5o y/o women who need to find a purpose in life.
Finally, I don’t like that store, I never have…. booze or no booze. It’s a blighted corner where any establishment would be better than what’s there now. I think that location has potential but I’m afraid we’re stuck with “Mart.”
11 Tiktok // Jan 18, 2010 at 10:54 pm
Plenty of places to buy alcohol that don’t look like crap. Good riddance.
12 Ghoul // Jan 19, 2010 at 8:27 am
I have fond memories of them selling me beer when I was 16. Anything for a buck.
good riddance indeed.
13 Kellywatchthestars // Jan 19, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I always got a giggle out of their sign - like they only had one ‘gift’ in the entire store for sale.
I live two blocks from here and have never entered this place - hopefully whatever is next will be less frightening from the outside.
14 kirs10f // Jan 19, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Now where am I going to get all my porn? I think they also specialized in smut. I’ve never seen so many options as they had there.
15 Jon // Jan 19, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Gentrification, I love you.
Also, I’m not a 50yr. old woman, and I find the practice of herding large mammals into small, confined spaces (where they contract hepatitis, and where they are always stressed) to be somewhat abusive. Fancy that!
If you want to stand around and gawk at large mammals, sans the health issues, get an HDTV with Animal Planet.
16 skiplogic // Jan 19, 2010 at 9:49 pm
kris10f, you are on the internet! there is porn here!
17 SPG // Jan 20, 2010 at 12:18 am
Kelly, They also sell “cigarette” too, but in that case they weren’t kidding…you could buy an individual cigarette.
18 Northa85th // Jan 20, 2010 at 8:26 am
Hopefully it’s changing hands to more responsible owners or being repurposed all together. To a business that encourages drunks and vandals, I say “good riddance,” too.
19 Iron City Mike // Jan 20, 2010 at 9:44 am
I have to admit, I’ve never heard “gentrification” used in a positive context before. Typically (elsewhere), that is a negative word that means higher rents, higher taxes, chain stores replacing small businesses, and the destruction of family-friendly neighborhoods
20 Quenifer // Jan 20, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Honestly, some of you need to sit down face to face and hash out your differences, not rant about them in this forum. I read the comments to hear more information about the situation, not to see a bunch of snarky remarks.
21 Ghoul // Jan 20, 2010 at 1:23 pm
^what info did you just give us on the situation?
22 Ghoul // Jan 20, 2010 at 1:23 pm
and +1 for 19 Iron City Mike.
23 Northa85th // Jan 20, 2010 at 1:48 pm
ICM, I agreed in sentiment, but in this case, getting rid of this store will make the neighborhood more friendly for families. What parents wants drunk vagrants urinating in front of their kids?
24 Weenie D // Jan 20, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Maybe we need to let the new owners (?) know how we feel about the vagrants that are used to getting their daily fixes there. Let them know that we are all sick and tired of walking down the street and seeing a drunk ass stinky homeless dude holding his wiener and pissing on the side of someones house while yelling obscenities at us. As long as they don’t sell to them I am happy, actually if they could keep them from hanging out behind the store that would really be the best. That way they can’t just go to the shell station and walk back over to the alley to consume their 40s.
On another note, I drove by today and there were tons of work vehicles there, plus they had put up their permits in the window, so at least they are doing things right! That is a great sign!
25 BHS02 // Jan 20, 2010 at 9:24 pm
oh, eight five eight. How I will miss thee. Such classic high school memories. One braaack and one sweeesher
26 Iron City Mike // Jan 21, 2010 at 8:48 am
Northa85th, I agree with you, just a funny choice of words…
27 a-bomb // Jan 21, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Don’t forget the filthy pet guinea pig that was housed in a cardboard box behind the counter!
28 greenwoodmomma // Jan 22, 2010 at 8:17 pm
apparently once (i heard) it was actually a bona-fide local cornerstore that sold decent food, etc etc. anyone want to expand on that history?
29 greenwoodmomma // Jan 22, 2010 at 8:19 pm
oh, and i have to say it’s interesting but sad that if it ever *went back* to being “a bona-fide local cornerstore that sold decent food, etc etc.” it would be considered gentrification, and therefore a bad thing. the proletariat have to eat too, you know. some of us actually eat quite well.
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