Sparkling

After seeing the words «Sparkling» in the distance, I went towards it, thinking it was some sort of fancy clothing or jewelery store (not sure why fancy clothing or fancy jewelery would motivate me to walk, but there ya go). I opened the doors, and was greeted with a selection of chocolate bars, chips, cold drinks, and magazines. «Ah,» I said, «it’s a newsagents.»
And it’s a very good newsagents. You’ll find what you need if you want a quick snack to munch on, or want something to read. The clerks allow you to go through their magazine selection, and will say a friendly, «Cheers» to you if you decide to leave without buying anything.

As little newsagents go, Sparkling is a great alternative in the southern Lanes area. A lot of people flock to Bharat’s, across the road, or Well Done, on North Street, but I find Sparkling to generally be the better all-​rounder.
Sparkling follows the general corner-​shop pattern: an assortment of crisps, chocolate bars and cigarettes, various other bits and pieces, and extra charges for using a card. In Sparkling’s case, the bits and pieces are a slightly better fit to my household; that’s the only reason I end up going there more often.
As corner-​shops go, Sparkling generally has less stuff than the nearby corner-​shops, but the main difference is that it sells more items for cooking. Although, if you’re going to a corner shop, do you really want cooking ingredients? I find that it fits my life, but I don’t think that’s the general rule.
So, another corner shop, with little to distinguish it from the others in the area. I find it fits my palate better, but will it fit yours? The only way to know is to try!

This little newsagents has a good selection of soft drinks, and an ok range of snacks, but not many beers. You’ll also find gum, spirits and newspapers.