Macadoodles — Local services in Springfield

It pains me to write this, but after tonight I have to. We've been going to Macadoodles for years, and they used to be great. Our last 4 visits though have been terrible. One visit, on a weekday, we visited when they were apparently really short staffed. The workers made sure to tell us all about it and even seemed annoyed that we were taking them away from their jobs when we wanted to check out. Another time, when I asked about one of my favorite craft bourbons that they used to carry, the clerk went on to say that they didn't have it any more and basically gave me a big explanation about how that brand just wasn't very good. I appreciate that everyone has their own tastes, but flat out insulting a small craft brand, that one of your customers really likes, isn't the best way to make more sales. Then tonight's experience...My wife and I stopped by to restock. I don't like my kids to stay in the car by themselves, especially in certain parts of Springfield, that have a larger homeless population. Nothing against them personally, but when they're walking around loudly talking to themselves, why grabbing their junk, I'd rather not leave my kids alone in the car. So on this night, we had our teenage son come in with us. Didn't buy anything crazy, my wife likes Mike's and I got a new local beer from SBC. When we got to the counter, my son touched one of those small bottles of liquor they have at the counter. He didn't pick it up, but he did turn it to see what the label said. The clerk immediately stopped the transaction and asked for his ID. We told her that he wasn't 21, but she wanted to see it anyway, so he showed it to her. She then informed us that she would not serve us, because he touched a bottle and he wasn't 21. I was totally confused, so I asked why, and she told me it was state law? She said that she had suspicions that we were buying alcohol for him. Huh? Do you get a lot of husband/wife teams in buying for minors? She wouldn't budge, so we ended up having to leave. VERY embarrassing, especially on a busy evening in a crowded store. Really sucks, because my brother-in-law and I frequently went on bourbon hunts in this store and left with 5-6 bottles of bourbon on multiple occasions. One less store for me to hunt now! Do yourself a favor and hit Brown Derby instead. Their staff is a lot nicer and the prices are usually a...

For a convenient store, their selection is fantastic. They have a small display with frequently updated high-scoring wines from every price range and style. The whiskey and bourbon selection is good (4/5), the beer selection is decent (3.5/5), and the scotch selection is okay (3/5). The one grievance is asking for something they don't have in stock. They have s gotten they fill out for special requests, so it's fairly common. I've tried this approach four or five times and have finally given up. Either they never contact you or it's way after the submission. The only time they responded was weeks after I had given up waiting and ordered a bottle online. However, I was informed that if I became friends with the gent that does the ordering, then I'd get special treatment and more likely to receive my request. They've even have a small bar you can pony up to and spend your money to become a sycophant. Well, they can run the business however they want, but that just doesn't sit right with me. I save time and money buy looking elsewhere. I still occasionally peruse the liquor aisles for unicorns, but I don't talk to anyone for help. Many employees are not educated to answer specific questions, and I assume the rest are speaking in half truths or deliberately misleading in favor of their select clientele.

They have a water cooler that can chill a six-pack in a couple minutes, so...

Was once my favorite place in Springfield, but it no longer resembles it's former self. It's gone from a local hangout- my home away from home- to a generic package store, and I'm devastated.

They claim that the format they've had for the last 15+ years was a "pilot program" that has been discontinued. Whether this was a a decision by the new owners or a corporate decision (as the new owners claim, despite the fact that the North Springfield Macadoodles still has their wine room tables) is irrelevant to me. The outcome of the decision is the same, and it's a giant middle finger to the community who has given it so much support and revenue over the past few decades.

If you're looking for somewhere akin to the old Macadoodles, I'd recommend the North Springfield Macadoodles, the Brown Derby International Wine Center, or the Reserve at Town & County as fantastic alternatives to this store where you can both purchase bottles of wine and enjoy a glass. Each have their own unique vibe, so you may try a few to find out which is the best fit for you.

If you're just looking for what this Macadoodles has to offer these days, take the extra 2 minutes to drive to Total Wine. The staff at both Macadoodles and Total Wine are very friendly, but the selection and prices are better at Total Wine, and you'd be supporting a company that hasn't turned it's back on...