More than a year ago, an iconic liquor store was sold. The late Dinkytown Wine & Spirits had served the community for many years. The need for a new liquor store that was closer and more convenient was obvious. On top of that, the need for an iconic liquor store to make new memorable experiences was also clear.

Recently, Top Ten Liquors has filled that void in our livers. The now gone Dinkytown Wine & Spirits was no ordinary liquor store, however. To be replaced by just any liquor store would be mistaken. For some time, the closest liquor store to fill our demands was ValU Liquors. To compare ValU Liquors to Dinkytown Wine & Spirits would be a disservice to that late establishment that satisfied us for many years. To expect ValU Liquors to meet the demands and experiences that we would want to make would leave many mistaken. However, will the new Top Ten Liquors meet these reviewed demands and expectations? 

I recently visited Top Ten Liquors. For those still unaware, Top Ten Liquors sits in the same place that the previous Dinkytown Wine & Spirits had resided, on the corner of 15th Ave SE and 5th St SE.

Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately in the hope of more sober streets), this new liquor store no longer has a parking lot. While street parking is still available, this may require more to visit on foot. Instead, the new liquor store (and apartment complex that it resides under) have expanded to the sidewalk, foregoing a parking lot.

The exterior of the liquor store is certainly more clean and modern than the previous establishment. Certainly in comparison to other nearby liquor store options (ValU Liquors), the exterior is more contemporary, well lit, and visible. This same theme continues inside. Inside Top Ten Liquors you’ll find a modern, well lit, and clean aesthetic. Aisles and refrigerated sections are spaced well, instead of narrow, cramped, and packed shelves. However, the changes to the liquor store are not merely aesthetic.

Top Ten Liquors provides many of the same familiar products that we would expect an establishment replacing Dinkytown Wine & Spirits to fulfill. Naturally, large cases of beers and seltzers are available, which will satiate the college party demographic. A good variety of shooters or single shot liquor bottles are also available. However, the liquor store also offers a variety of other spirits for those less disposed to parties. The liquor store has a good selection and variety of wines, from dry to sweet, as well as a good selection of higher proof alcohols, from low shelf to top shelf.

Notably, it appears a new McDonald’s will also reside next to this liquor store, just as was the case the previous Dinkytown Wine & Spirits.

Thus, it appears this liquor store is certainly on the way to meet the experiences that were once had. Does it have the same atmosphere and vibe as the previous liquor store? No, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Has Top Ten Liquors replaced the experiences and memories once created at the iconic Dinkytown Wine & Spirits? I do not believe it has–at least not yet. Will it come to do so? Only time will tell, but it certainly appears that it may be able to do so, especially with a new McDonald’s to help this vision come true.

Ultimately, this new liquor store is a safe and acceptable modernization of the replaced establishment. At the very least, it seems to be a more accessible, contemporary, and visible location than a single ValU Liquors or a single liquor store at all. This writer will certainly visit again.

Top Ten Liqours Interior (Nick Gunstrom)