I got the news in the drive-thru, the cashier asking me how my day was. Great, and from me to her was the courtesy, How’s yours?
Tired, she told me. Oh what an adjustment it had been to get up and running with their new evenings menu.
My neck lengthened half a foot. Hearts popped out of my eyes as they might in a Snapchat animation. I cleared my throat. “Evenings? As in…alcohol?”
She nodded, instantly regretting, I’m sure, mention about her day as she figured me out as one of those wine moms who’ll start taking over the crumb-covered couches and stools and leather-bound chairs in her store until closing.
Yep. That’s me. You’ll find me at Long Beach’s newest Evenings location (Lakewood & Cover) not just for their wine selection (because there’s plenty to be selected from in my own kitchen), but also for their selection of small plates like spinach artichoke dip, truffle mac & cheese, and flatbread.
I know what you’re thinking. This is a terrible idea. And just another ploy for an overly-hyped corporation to pull money from the wallets of American families, stealing business from the local shops. From the mom and pops. From the neighborhood wine stores and craft beer shops.
Not to worry. I’ll be sure to keep the small guys in business AND visit Starbucks in the evenings every once in a while. Just for comparison.