Midland Wine & Liquors

It made my day when I saw Midland Wine & Liquors on Yelp - it never occurred to me to create a review of their store myself or I would have done it a while ago.

This store has been in the neighborhood forever. I have gone in over the years and have driven by it thousands of times; but honestly it was not my go to liquor store. Mostly because I am not in this neighborhood that much -kinda just passing through. I tended to shop wherever I was, by my office or where my friends were - or I hate to say it - in Jersey (mistakenly thinking that the savings were so incredible that it was worth the drive - but I have found that between the time, tolls and gas it is soooooo not worth it + there is no savings that can make up for developing a personal relationship with someone that gets to know your taste preferences and makes recommendations that suit your needs and expand your pallet - which is right up my alley both in food and wine).

And then came Sandy! What does Sandy have to do with my review of a wine & spirits shop you ask? Well, everything..

I know several people who live/have businesses in Staten Island & Midland Beach and have seen firsthand their struggle to get back on their feet after the storm - with seemingly little or no support. Midland Wine & Liquors is one of the many shops that was severely impacted by Sandy, but as soon as they were able to get in the store, they along with so many people in the community, where there cleaning up and making sure it got back on its feet - working tirelessly every day with a smile and a kind word to a neighbor who was in the same or often times a worse situation.

I now make it a point to shop locally with small businesses both on Staten Island in general.

Midland Wine & Liquors has become my go to store for any and all things booze related. They are super friendly, always good for a laugh (surprisingly enough sometimes a nosh) and more importantly they know what they are taking about. If you go in as an inexperienced customer, they treat it as an opportunity to share with you something they really love; not look down at you for incorrectly pronouncing something (yes this has happened to me).

Listen, I am never going to be a sommelier; but I like to know what I am talking about when I drink something or when I bring someone a gift. You can actually ask an opinion, or comment on something you have read about and TRUST what they say. Whether it is about wine or any of the fairly large selection of spirits - it's always a bit of an education without making you feel inferior - (who knew there was such a thing as potato vodka? - not me until a few weeks ago).

They recently helped me pick out all my holiday gifts (good wines at gift prices) as well as the wines we would be serving at our holiday meals and so far they were all hits!

Accessible, smart, great selection, good prices, terrific people!

& don't forget to shop local!

As an out-of-towner I'm never in Staten Island, so I was referred to this shop by a friend. They have a huge shop and large selection to match. They do have some pricey, hard-to-find wines that I personally will never be able to afford in my lifetime, but for the most part they have something that will fit anyone's budget. I didn't have much to spend but was recommended a few things that were tasty but fit into my price range.

The people behind the counter were friendly, helpful, and very knowledgeable. There were also a ton of customers in there that seemed to be regulars, just sitting and chatting with the staff for a while -- they seem to have a following! Not to mention, the store looks fantastic for a place that was hit by Hurricane Sandy, I never would have guessed!

The staff is super friendly and very helpful. There is always a smile to greet you at the door. I handed my cell phone over to one of the guys one time so he can help me get everything I needed for a party. He even gave some suggestions. 5 stars!

Great selection and very knowledgeable staff with better knowledge of wines than you will find at other much bigger stores.

the most friendly place
great wines
great service
they help put wine in my car
will go back