I miss Charlie and I gave him a 5-star review years ago. Recently two bad incidents. One, I left my debit card and went back to the store and cashier just denied. Then I had my fiance go to the store, cashier still denied. Then I went the next day and it was there! Managers: you work in an industry that is known for employees using customer cards. Get your customer's phone number and call them when you find their card. Two, night before last I went to get a 4-pack of mini wines in a rush before a concert. The packs were all mixed up, so I took out one that was too tall, and chose two blue and two pink. One store worked scathed me about how I can't do that. I told him I've been going to the store since 2004, and besides, the wines were already like that. I told him I was in a rush and he had the audacity to say the problem for him was bigger than for me. Cashier looked humble but chimed in that they cannot sell a mixed pack. Customer next to me asked if I was okay and shamed the store for making an issue where there wasn't one. As I left the store, I told them to tend to their wine aisle to fix all the mixed packs AND put up a sign for others! read more

Sure, it's run down. It is the epitome of dodgy with a capital D. But in the end, it's as clutch as they come in the Tenderloin. I can come here knowing that I score everything from snacks to cheap booze without having to blow a major penny. Take notes Fred's Liquor (http://www.yelp.com/biz/freds-liquor-store-san-francisco), this is how it should be done. If I lived nearby, this would totally be my neighborhood store. In New York, a good bodega is in every corner, but I wish I could say the same about San Francisco. It isn't a large store by any means, however, they've managed to cram all the the little things into a few aisles and keep them reasonably priced for the the area. Some folks would say customer service is the name of the game and Econo Market does it well. Cashiers who often have to deal with the crazies in the hood are good with helping folks find items without being too coarse. They've even neglected bits of change when I'm short a few cents or quarters. Paying in cash has its advantages. read more

This is our Safeway. They have everything. Huge selection of refrigerated and frozen foods, especially pizzas, meats, fish, and fresh produce. They also sell alcohol with the best prices in the neighborhood until 2am. If you don't like what you see ask them and they'll order it for you plus they're the nicest people in the world they have a huge wine selection plenty of beer and all the brands of alcohol you need. Nick is a superstar. Sonny, and the others are super nice. read more

This store is my bodyguard that also sells wine and Easy Mac: SF Heaven. Hungry? They have it! Everything from Lean Cuisine to Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter. Yes, I'm on a diet. Thirsty? They have it! Vitamin Water (2 sizes), an array of wine and beer, soy milk, and Diet Coke Plus (vitamin infused soda. genius). Danger? They got your back. Being a single girl livin' in the loin ain't easy. But, after moving here from sunny Venice Beach 2 years ago, I still need a little protection from the crazies. Sammy, the owner, has warded off a couple of my followers - yes, I'm that cute. Great staff - great selection - yummy wine. AND, if for some odd reason you don't see what you need, tell Sammy and he'll run across the street to his OTHER store and get it. Now that's service. read more

I'm honestly really surprised by the high rating of this store but, then again it stops at 06/18. The new ownership is all about money even at the risk of harming their patrons. Over the past year I have been going to this place to only find that the majority of their food items are rotten or spoiled. When it comes to items like their milk products - look at the date and you find an unusually long expiration date, take your finger and rub on the date and you will find it comes right off with no pressure whatsoever. It's my opinion that dates are being changed, the ink should not be removed that easy. One to many times have I purchased milk products just find they were spoiled by the following day. Much of their merchandise is spoiled. Good luck trying to get a refund! Last night my roommate purchased some hamburger buns, this afternoon I opened them up for lunch to find that they were rotten (sadly the mold was not visible from the outside). Last month we bought some frozen jalapeno poppers, needless to say - we both got food poisoning. Stay away from this place, they sell nothing but rotten, spoiled food. I think it's time to call a few friends at DPH before someone REALLY gets sick! read more

Econo Market - Just bought this yesterday. - Grocery Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Living in the TL can be risky business. It's the little things that make all the difference. You stop in at Charlie's place on the way home from work for your daily affirmation.. He greets you with a smile, remembers your name, asks about your day and sends you good wishes. You buy a decent bottle of wine for ten dollars and something for a makeshift charcuterie. It's a neighborhood market, a local green grocer, a stop gap confessional. Oh, and they sell booze. read more

Being in tenderloin its hard to get so neat and clean store like econo , the best thing that i like is they accept apple/samsung pay too. Thanks for reordering my wallet read more

Hands down, by far the best corner store in my neighborhood. They have everything you would ever need and more here. They have the basics, hard liquor, my favorite lemon cookies (which are actually hard to find in big stores like Safeway) and a great selection of cereal. The only thing I wasn't able to find here was cornstarch. But how often do you need a box of cornstarch? Big ups for their impeccable customer service. And they always will sell you a roll of quarters for laundry. They understand that the only washer and dryers in the Tenderloin are coin-op. This service alone is huge in my book!! read more

Charlie and the crew make going to the market a pleasnt experience. These guys know everyone in the neighborhood. Shatangi appreciates their special ordering items. Shatangi told you read more

For a corner liquor store, it's pretty damn good. Econo Mart, Right Way and Lifetime Liquor (up on Geary btwn Jones and Leavenworth) form a perfect triumverate of grocery shopping in a one block radius. Need some bread, milk, cereal, crackers, milk or a relatively inexpensive frozen item? Hit Econo Market. They also have an interesting selection of alcohol, full stock of cigarettes and lots of boxed cookies. The employees are very nice - but look out for the son on holiday from school - he tends not to pay too much attention while ringing your stuff up.... read more

Tis a good market with lots of stuff to be bought. Plus for actually selling booze unlike the market across the street. Always pleasant conversation across the counter from Nimer. I gots to get my Smart Pops somewhere!! read more

While I agree that everyone that works at this market is really friendly and that they have a pretty good selection of fresh produce (for a corner market) I just can't justify giving them anymore than 3 stars with the way they price some of their items. Import and microbrew 6 packs for 10 bucks? 1/5 of Jack Daniels for 30 bucks, when it's 22 a block away?!?! Bag of tostitos for 4 bucks? I just can't justify spending that much dough just because someone is friendly to me. If you look within a one block radius of this place you can find pretty much all the items I just listed for much cheaper. 3 stars until the prices come down. Sorry guys.... read more

Out of the 3 of the 4 corner stores on the corner of Leavenworth & O'Farrell, this one takes the cake. They take credit, they take quarters, they've got candy machines out front, they'll always give you back change by rounding up to the next nickel- they don't believe in pennies. Friendly staff- 2 registers- it moves fast- and there's a HUGE frozen food selection for a "corner market." read more

This store has been my local for years. Nimer, Charlie and Frank have become like family- my mom buys Charlie presents sometimes- mmmkay? They are the nicest guys and always have interesting things in stock- lately I have been buying dried porcini mushrooms for risotto there- I promise you this is the only place in the 'loin carrying arborio rice! Thanks guys- see you tonight! read more

I remember this store from 20 years ago. Neil and Gary were the owners. Neil always asked me about how my son and I were doing. Does anyone else remember Neil and Gary? read more

I moved to the first block of the Tenderloin off Union Square in November 2004, after managing an apartment building in Nob Hill for several years. Besides my apartment the Econo Market is the best thing about my neighborhood. Charlie, the owner, and the other workers, like Nimer, treat me like a queen. If I don't have enough money, they let me play later. If I need laundry quarters, they oblige. Sometimes they'll throw in a freebie like a lighter or a miniature bottle of alcohol. The best part is when I walk in and Charlie is there...he compliments me and tells me how glad he is to see me. I hardly ever cook, but I brought Charlie a piece of cooked chicken with cheese and rice once...just to thank him. Also, they own a great taqueria right next door called El Tesoro. read more

This store is okay.. I like the store clerks... But to be honest, i'm afraid to ask them questions because I think they'll kick the crap outta me!! But I guess its par for the course, given the place is in the Tenderloin.. Ill be back for some cheap wine soon! :-) read more

This store is near my mom's house and they had a great variety of things that i bought for her to eat. the man was very nice to my four year old and they had fresh vegetables and fruit. I liked the large variety of foods for such a small store. read more

Excellent customer service, good selections, clean and friendly. I will definitely will come back for my grocery shopping and liquor....

I moved to L.A. from San Francisco in 2001, and Econo Market is one of the things I miss most. Great store. Everyone who works there was so friendly. Feels like a store you would go to if you lived in a small town. read more

One star, only because that's the minimum. I've been going here for over 10 years when it was owned by Charlie. He sold to a bunch of thieves. Their inventory sucks and so do their prices. For example, they wanted $6.39 for a pint of heavy cream. Go an extra block to ANYWHERE ELSE. read more