Bright Lights/Dark City by Chipka
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Description
I lived, for a time, in the Czech Republic, and in Germany—in large cities and small towns. I lived in rich and interesting places and places with money and poverty strolling hand-in-hand as if proving the old Soviet statement that money is a symptom of poverty. I’ve lived (very, very briefly) in Dallas and in other places as well. What I have learned in my residences (short and long term) and in my travels is that liquor stores all look the same. They are designed and laid out, perhaps, by The Organizaton…their plans and purpose decided by The Committee. I thought of this in looking at David’s place, on the corner of Kedzie and Something Else. I’d gone to another store—a non-liquor store for non-liquor products. In walking out, and crossing the intersection of Kedzie and Something Else, I saw David’s garishly-lit place. I was amazed at how exactingly it conformed to Committee-approved Organization standards.
I didn’t go in.
There are other liquor stores, closer to the places I enjoy, and more fully stocked. I will go to them, and perhaps listen to stubble-faced men, singing in Arabic, surprised that I can pick a word or two out of the poetic recitations the warble behind the cash register. I know the word habibi…I can say something naughty in Iranian, though a Saudi Arabian might recognize it too. I can say a few naughty things in Iranian. But that is a talent that I have had little opportunity to use. I doubt I’ll ever use it in a liquor store, though I will know when liquor store employees are singing love warbles about kisses.
As I stood on the corner of Kedzie and Something Else (last Sunday) I was amazed at the lights and the colors of David’s Liquors. I knew that David offered phone cards, ATM services, bus cards, and wine. I knew that behind the counter, I might hear the sounds of Arabic, warbled at oblique angles to sympathetic sounds oozing and cavorting out of CD or radio speakers. I knew that I’d see someone behind the counter, worthy of a photograph and supremely adamant in his refusal to be photographed. And so, on the corner of Kedzie and Something Else, I reminded myself that I didn’t need wine, or a phone card, a lottery ticket, or something else…and I simply moved on.
I took this photo, however, and I wouldn’t be surprised if my shutter clicked at precisely the time some visually-appealing Arabic guy broke into the refrain of a song involving kisses…or pomegranates.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week.
Comments (21)
Faemike55
Very interesting photo and discuusion about the sameness of the liquor stores, at least where you reside
blinkings
Yeah mate they are the same over here too!
jac204
Great capture and commentary. I like to think our NH state liquor stores are different. Not lavishly lit and a couple are even located at turnpike rest areas.
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.
npauling
An excellent night time capture of this brightly lit store and they look the same down here too. Must be a world wide thing.
MrsLubner
Beautiful urban shot. The thing about urban shots, especially night ones, is they have "conflict" in them but the viewer is a spectator and not in any way a part of what is seen. You are drawn in but not responsible for it happening or it's outcome. Outstanding shot.
tofi
Beautiful image, Dear Chip of the regular, every day life that seems yet so magical the way you've presented it. The contrast between the light and dark is stunning, and so many great "deals" on, or so it seems :) Looks like the empty streets make for a perfect time to stroll the streets. Always fascinates me how much more we take in and notice when not in a car, zooming by. I too, might not go in, but something very lively and delightful about the lights.... invitational. A pleasure reading and looking, my Friend!
auntietk
It remains to be seen, here in Washington State, what our liquor stores will look like. They were state run forever, but this year the citizenry voted that out and now you can buy rum in the grocery store. Our liquor stores were all exactly alike when the state ran them (and about as nothing-like-this as it gets), but I haven't been in one since the changeover, so I have no idea if they now sell phone cards in addition to booze. They were absolutely perfectly organized and labeled and while they weren't antiseptic, they were certainly sterile. Not being much of a drinker, I always felt a little out of my element in those places. I'll have to go back and see if we're headed in this direction! It will be interesting to see how things here go in the alcohol department.
netot
Fantastic shot. Kind of sad to me, because this stores, in my country, represent the ultimate escape for many who have lost their dreams and illusions. The lighting, isolation, products, everything speaks of loneliness and loss.
bebopdlx
Excellent photo.
treasureprints
Great night shot!:)
bobrgallegos
Outstanding Nightime capture!!! We have a few here in Denver that must have been planned out by the Organization. LOL!
durleybeachbum
Very Hopper. A fascinating ramble. Our 'Off licences' are nothing like this, but as I am not a drinker I rarely have cause to go in.
helanker
Yeah, it is looking interesting just because of the light. Would like yto have a tiny peek, just to see whats inside. Not to buy anything. An awesome shot, Chip :)
MrsRatbag
They're very no-nonsense in a way, lowest rent available, selling as much as they can possibly cram in that anyone might want, for absolutely the lowest price available, guarenteed! This one reminds me of the ones in Southern California where I grew up (we even had a drive-through liquor store nearby!). When I moved to Virginia the liquor stores were state-run, rarely ever open, and they were very severely plain, with no advertising at all on or around them. When you went in it was a bare room with a counter and a big notebook that listed what was available and the prices. You told the clerk, who went in the back (after checking your ID to make sure you were legal) to get your purchase, rang it up and put it in a plain brown bag. Quite a difference indeed. I'm happy now to be able to buy liquor in the grocery store, it saves me a trip, although the prices seem to be no better, and in some cases worse than they were before the switch from state-run stores. Whew! I digressed big-time, sorry. I like this shot, it seems a cheerful place for a liquor store, and even has a bit of a casino vibe to it. The lights are indeed bright!
nikolais
human fill-me-up point... such placea attract those who have no reason to rush home or who have no home at all...remember a Hemigway's short story about an old man who frequented a cafe at night only because it was light and clean there? ... can't remember the title. lovely shot, Chp!
francinechristophe
I like your night shot AND your comments on night stores...
sandra46
terrific mood a great night shot
JuliSonne
These are available all over the world. They seem to be a kind of visitation of the poor and lonely souls who want to forget for a few hours. Nevertheless, caution is always necessary ....
tommorules
You make the ordinary look, and sound, extraordinary. I love your ramblings on the subject. I doubt, however, that even you could make a UK "Bargain Booze" store look, or sound, in any way classy :)
icerian
Well seen. It looks like a "night ornament".