Alexandre’s Market and Spirits

WARNING stuff here costs about twice as much as it does in pretty much any other convenience store in Oakland! It’s also extremely small and cramped and you can’t see the price on the register so maybe the guy behind the counter was just making it up but $ 5.41 for a half pint of Taaka vodka which otherwise cost about $ 2.50 I think is excessive.

All I wanted was ramen with sriracha and peas. (Seriously, its good). The odds of finding the vegetarian ramen plus the other two places in a place other than the grocery store are never good. Alexandre’s came through with a smile and very reasonable price. I’ve read the reviews that they always have that item that you’re looking for and really they do! So glad to have them in my neighborhood.

Alexandre’s is a nice place to have outside your building. I run over there while cooking if I need something and 9x out of 10 he has it. The prices are inflated but he pays more than Costco or target because he is not buying a truckload of goods. One advantage Alexandre’s has is customer service. I’ve gone over there a little after close and he will let you in to get what you need. He once gave us a bunch of bananas because he said they were going bad. They had no brown on them yet. If you are pinching pennies don’t go here. If you need some coffee creamer or a beer or toilet paper and don’t wanna drive to emeryville then Alexandre’s is what’s up.

alexandre’s is next to hopscotch. wanted to check out our hopscotch’s menu and it’s about the same as opening day. (no lines, btw).
alexandre’s is a typical convenience store except for the upscale pricing. alexandre being in uptown explains the upscale pricing.
expect no bargains here, just convenience and friendly service.
buy: prohibition beer (5.49+, 6.1%, 22 oz)
–nice stout beer.
on draught:
–beers comparable to bar pricing, pricing in the tip.
–figure meter if applicable, or sole wear, still pricey
–alternative, drive or stay hungry and sober.

I go into this spot like every other day and grab a coke zero or some other incidentals. The cashiers are very friendly and respectful; they have my business.

Each time I have come here Alex has been so nice and helpful. Being new to the area he always gives me great advice on restaurants, nightlife, and anything else I ask. He has been in this area for 25 years and really knows why he’s talking about. The store is your average convenience store, carrying all that you would expect. Definitely coming back due to great above average service.

If you’re anything like me, you’re the type that always roots for the underdog; the unappreciated, hardworking victor. After living in this neighborhood for just 3 months, my several interactions with Francois Alexandre have proved that his humble but well-​stocked convenience store is the crème de la crème.
Whether I need wine, beer, ice cream, toilet paper, hot pockets, lady items, I know Francois Alexandre’s got me covered. So much so that he even gave me his business card explaining: «if you ever need anything I don’t have, just call me and make a request.» 7 – 11’s never provided this kind of service. Be nice to this dude and his family. They’re honest, hard-​working people who cater to the most mundane and everyday interests with a genuine smile. Shopping experiences like this remind me this is the kind of service Unilocal was built to acknowledge.

Alexandre’s is your typical Oakland liquor store: it’s cramped but cozy and they’ve got all of the snacks you need for your cravings, but they lack all of the essentials you need for everyday life. They’ve got a decent selection of alcohol.
I’ve written my fair share of reviews for liquor stores. I can tell you that the positive aspects that separate Alexandre’s from the others are location and staff. The location is ideal because you don’t have a mob of bums assaulting you at the exit. It’s also conveniently located near downtown. The staff is not at all abrasive, as you would expect from most liquor store employees in Oakland; this is probably a function of their location.
Don’t go out of your way to get your goodies at Alexandre’s, but if you’re a neighbour, they’ll treat you well.

Since I live right across the street from this market, I had to finally walk in here. This place is alright. It reminds me of any old convenience store in the hood.
Everything is expensive and overpriced, but you’re paying for the convenience. With a bunch of prior planning, you can easily get everything here at BevMo, Trader Joes, Safeway, Luckys, etc. There really isn’t any need to come in here. Do I really want a bag of cheetos that badly to need to walk over here? Do I need to buy singles of beer? I’d rather have my case of drank that I got from Costco. My guess is plenty of folks living around here feel the same way.
With the revitalization of the uptown, this store seems out of place. I feel bad for them, maybe they’ll change and adapt to accommodate the more yuppie clientele that is gentrifying the area. With that said, Good luck to you, Mr. Alexandre. I hope you find your niche and success.

Alexandre is THE mayor of the block, bar none.
I’ve known him for about a year now and it feels like much longer. Just ask him for what he’s not got in supply and he’ll create a special order for you.
He recently told me about someone asking for something specific and his choosing to go out and purchase it for them to convenience them, rather than waiting on delivery.
A good guy that truly cares about Oakland. Cares about the Uptown’s growth. We all need to support this guy, as he gives so much…

Great little store that always seems to be open. Good selection of beer, some wine, and the best selection of non-​alcoholic drinks in Oakland (iced teas, juices, and sodas from all geograhies).
The owner Francois is said to have run a store on the block for 20 years and he always has a «Hello my friend» or «Hello my neighbor» for you that has made his store a hub in the neighborhood.