This market is the best! Their prices are sooo reasonable. Need just one item like pasta sauce or an avocado or even a tomato and don't feel like going to a big chain store- go here! They have unique foods that some stores don't even carry. The staff is always very welcoming and warming. We love this market!!! read more

This is, hands-down, the best and most special neighborhood market ever. I've lived near it for much of my life, and Sam (plus his wife, and Amy, and Carl's brother whose name I can't recall, and Carl himself who now owns a market in Dublin) has made it the greatest. The pricing is always on par or usually lower than other spots in town. During the pandemic, a beloved clerk there (Kenny, miss you!) told me that a customer had told him they should raise prices on an item, because another market in town was selling it for 30% more or so. Kenny mentioned that to Sam, who firmly said, "no, I'm not raising prices." Our hero. He also stocks things for neighborhood locals if they even mention wanting them. It's the spot for every kid to run into and pick out an ice cream or candy (and maybe tell Amy about their baseball game, she always asks). I went in a few years back after living elsewhere for years, and Sam was so lovely. He also knows my entire family - Mom and Dad go in all the time; Dad is now buying most groceries there; my sister, brother-in-law, and nephews lived in the neighborhood for most of the last years and they travel here weekly now and usually hit up A-1 to get favorites. They have amazing vegetarian and vegan options; the produce is ALWAYS fresh and well-picked (and priced - best price for avocados); the frozen foods are always interesting and tempting; and they have fresh Firebrand bread every day! It's also a really safe space for everyone - kids, adults, all of us. Between the lovely culture he's created, and the insane merchandising skill, and the products... I think Sam might be a magician. Go! You will not be disappointed. read more

This is our neighborhood market and we love it! Produce is always fresh and they carry almost everything you'll need. The selection is pretty amazing - I even saw my favorite French cookies (Bonne Maman biscuits). I'm usually here when I just need a few things for dinner - a few russets, organic strawberries or a bag of broccoli. Friendly service and no lines - what's not to love? read more

Good stuff and good people! Our go-to neighborhood spot for last minute items or something quick :)

One of my favorite markets. Sam and his wife are friendly, know what to supply for locals favorites. Great employees. Friendly people. I get organic goods and my beverages there from kombucha to bubble water almost daily. Highly recommend this place and will continue business here. read more

I went there on Saturday while waiting for my order at Little Joe's Express. The service is much better in the daytime. The store looks much nicer after they removed the "anti-looting" plywood. I went there for a jug of milk, and was very happy to see an expiration date over a week into the future. read more

A 1 Market - a sidewalk in front of a store - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Alameda, California

Great neighborhood market! They have just about anything you need, especially since they expanded their cold section. Helpful workers and friendly service! read more

This is an absolutely terrific little market. The staff is always very friendly and welcoming. They have a terrific selection. And it is a super clean store. But I have to say it's the staff that has made me a regular customer now. read more

A-l Market isn't what i thought it was. saw or thought i saw "natural store" or something similar on the window. assumed it was a natural food store. after i saw the beers in the rear, i knew this is just a regular grocery. reasonable selection of microbrews in inventory, mostly 6 paks. brew: Fogcutter, double ipa,,8.7%, 22 oz(5.99) -definitely delivers a buzz, -besides the buzz, nothing distinguishes this brew. on draught: -good neighborhood market for last minute necessities. diverse inventory, didn't look at pricing. read more

Great corner market with the friendliest staff! I always look forward to their smiling faces

Loads of staples which include organic half and half, fancy-pants chocolate and naughty pants ice cream. Perfect for last minute, late night and a leisurely stroll. The young people cashiering are deep and wistful and the boss is always chipper. read more

This is a family ran corner store. I love the father, he is very friendly, and when he stands up to watch you shop in the store mirrors, he makes it seem like a sign of respect.... lol. The son is ok too, but he is a chain smoker and his cell phone is attached to his neck. Ok, I feel mean so I'll lay off the family. So here's the real problem, their food is extremely over priced. Talk about convenience charges! Why am I paying $3 for a smallest size bag of chips, or $2.50 for a small diet coke. I also get the feeling that their food isn't the freshest. I wish they'd be honest like those grocery outlets and just point out to people that their food is old, and to, "eat at your own risk". I go there when I'm too lazy to jump in my car and head to South Shore. read more

My boyfriend and I like to get drunk and stumble a couple blocks to this shop for scratcher tickets and cigars (just for him). The father and son who run this shop are always very friendly and they always wish us luck on our drunk scratchering. This is, uhh sadly maybe, one of the few places where I'm a regular... read more

This is the magic corner store of my dreams! They always have everything I need even random things like baking soda and school supplies. Also everyone who works there are super nice! If this corner store could be on every corner, the world would be a better place. read more

This is a great local grocery store and market. The owner's name is Sam and he is always friendly and helpful. I often stop by when I'm in the area! read more

A little bit of most things, even fresh produce. Owner Sam is very nice. Store is very clean and family-friendly. We frequent this store when we need something fast and don't want to go to a full blown grocery store. Usually buy milk, bananas, mixed salad greens, and eggs. They even had firewood when my neighbors were searching. Thanks Sam!! read more

This is a great little neighborhood convenience store. Friendly staff and a great selection of snacks, drinks, ice cream and they often come through for me when I need a random item for a recipe that I forgot to pick up at the market (kale, rice crackers, cracked black pepper, half and half, etc.). Definitely 5 stars, can't ask for more from a neighborhood/corner market. read more

We are SO happy that A-1 is our neighborhood market which is so much more than a corner store. They carry everything we need including a wide variety of produce, organic fresh and frozen items, household products, ice creams, milk, eggs, coffee, candy, chips and a fabulous selection of beer and wine including local options. The owners and staff are very friendly & our entire family enjoys a visit to this shop. Thank you to the A-1 team for keeping the market very clean and open during the quarantine. read more

This is my favorite Liquor store. I've been coming here since it was Louis' Market than My Market. Lee is the man. He caught me stealing a candy bar and a porno mag when I was ten, and only told my mom about the candy bar. For that, I will always be grateful. read more

Sam has done a fantastic job of making this so much more than your typical convenience store. First off, very friendly. A nice selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, plus a good selection of items that are cooking ingredients, not just junk food. My hat is off to Sam for doing such a great job. Way to go!! read more

My favorite place to buy scratch tickets. They sell a better variety, I'm always let down at 7-11. They sell such a variety of items it's mind boggling. Chips, milk, beer, wine, booze, cake mix, snacks, canned goods, cigars, house hold cleaning products, sandwich makings, paper products...for a "corner store" I'm impressed! It's not actually a corner store, it's not on a corner at all. I've always felt like a regular here because they remember the usual customers pretty well. They never mind chatting either, ask them what they think about the weather, or how business has been etc, and they'll have a conversation with you. This place is WAY better than other Alameda "corner stores" I've been to in this part of Alameda. read more

I have only gone here under new management. What a gem of an owner and the selection is upscale in addition to normal convenience store fare. They have consistent long hours and it's clean. Perfect representation of Alameda's taste and diversity. read more

I love this place! The store owner, Sam, is friendly and helpful. They've got a tremendous variety of items and I love their produce especially. The prices are what you'd expect for a convenience store, but they do pay quite a bit of attention to the quality of items they have. How many convenience stores do you know that stock cage-free eggs and fresh fruit and veggies? read more

This store has been under new ownership for the last few years. Sam and his wife now run the "little store" as my 4-year old friend would say and they have brought in many new products as well as a variety of organic foods and produce, fresh veggies and fruits, frozen foods and ice cream, if you're looking for something sweet. Cross-street: Encinal and Benton, two blocks from the Encinal / Central Avenue transition (merge/split). read more

What a great little grocery store- its no longer just a liquor store and the owners have changed. The store has organic foods and also has EXCELLENT prices on organic fruits and veggies! The new owner goes to the farmers market and buys directly from them for the store- this is like a little mini trader joes- in the hood! It is so great to have a store like this where you can save money and gas and really shop locally. They have everything you would want. Obviously I shop here all of the time and really appreciate not having to drive to Safeway or Luckys. I do love Trader Joes however! read more

I am very grateful to have this little neighborhood store. I find myself waking to it about once a week to pick up things I missed during big weekly shopping at Safeway or TJ. Store owner and his staff are very friendly. Appreciate fresh fruits and veggies, good ice cream. My tween and teen walk with their friends often to get snacks. Apparently having a1 near our house helps make our place "cool" to hang out. Thank you! read more

This is a great market, run by Lee and his wife. They are super-friendly and have really upgraded the quality of their products -- better brands and varieties, more organics. If you ask for something, he will try to stock it in the future. They remember people's names. I really like this market. PS - I think some of the comments relate to before Lee took over the market and gave it a makeover. read more

I'm glad this place exists. I live in a place where my "kitchen" is a tiny compact refrigerator, and a tiny single burner electric thingie. And living on the Webster St side of Alameda, there is nowhere to go for fresh vegetables that leans toward the organic side (farmer's market a lot of times I can't get to, because of when it is). (I can't buy perishables in bulk, so need something nearby I can visit every few days.) I finally discovered this place a few months ago. It's a little out of the way for me, but is a hell of a lot closer than South Shore. Because of this place, I am able to buy a $1.79 bag of carrots and broccoli every 4-5 days, to make sure I don't die from malnutrition. And the people at the register are usually pretty decent. Not talkative, but not rude either. I'm not a talkative person, so this works perfectly. Docking one star because I wish what they sold was a little less expensive (they're not bad, but I'm on a budget), but I understand a small single store has to survive. read more

I've been shopping at A-1 for years (seriously, I would buy candy on my way home from kindergarten). At 25, I'm still in there at least twice a week. It's conveniently located next to Jay's coffee and Franklin Park. I absolutely love how they've started selling organic and natural foods. I'm consistently forgetting dinner ingredients and this place is a life saver. It's also really nice to have a place that sells Kombucha and other yummy beverages within walking distance. Definitely 5 stars!! read more

It is a very friendly neighborhood market that I have been going to for the last two years. Everything is clean and well organized. Prices are also good. I asked about bio-trash bags and they ordered for me. I really like this place! read more