Parker's Market

Simply put, Parker's Market on Drayton is a small version of The Fresh Market with a gas pump outside.

This is one of the few places I've ever known where you can buy green pistachio muffins (the greatest baked good I could never successfully create in my own kitchen). This Parker's contains a full-fledged bakery with far more elegant items than a Little Debbie Honey Bun or other such "convenient" dessert. There's a deli with meals you'd find on the menu of most bistros or coffee shops. There's an entire room devoted to beer, which is always a good thing. There are plenty of import beers alongside the usual PBR and malt liquor. They have an impressive variety of gourmet groceries, like lingonberries and organic macaroni and cheese. There's a large selection of emergency Mother's Day gift-type items and things you think are "neat" until you look at the price sticker. Their magazine rack is stocked with plenty of uncommon newsstand finds. They usually have an assortment of flowers perfect for picking up after a fight with your significant other. The cash register even dispenses the correct amount of change directly to a cup, to avoid cashier incompetency.

The downside is pretty obvious as soon as you enter: prices. A six-pack of Newcastle costs about $2.50 over retail. A plain egg salad sandwich, $4.49. That little jar of lingonberry jam is a five-dollar item. Want to not disappoint Mom? It'll cost you. And you'd better start looking for a new significant other if you're on a budget, those flower prices are jacked. What about that sought-after pistachio muffin? It ranks in at a reasonable two dollars. I'm serious.

The Parker Companies define the location on Drayton St. as an "urban gourmet," rather than their usual "convenience store." I guess what they mean by "urban" is you can pump gas at the usual ridiculous price, and by "gourmet;" you can buy nice crap inside at the same rip-off level.

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