Sunny Days at Surfside

Outside the closed liquor store, a small crowd of six stood watching and waiting in the warm sun, a domino was smacked against the table which was shaded by a small city sidewalk tree; a thunderous victory for the “red team.”  The players showed their hands and started a new game; but, not without taking a stab at one another.
“Remember the other day when we beat you.”
“No, I wasn’t here that day.”
“Yes you do. Yes were.”
Surfside Liquors is a little liquor store on Innes Avenue with no windows and a faded hand-painted wood sign.  With little indicating the store has not been closed for 15 years, it is easy to pass by, except the sidewalk is blocked by a collapsible table and usually half a dozen or more people talking and waiting for their turn at a game of dominos.
Though Surfside accommodates Hunters Point residents with their snack and beverage needs, the store provides community members with a place to run into a familiar face.
“This is usually the meet up spot,” explained Jeff Anderson, Hunters Point resident and artist.  “From there we’ll decide to go fishing or stay and hangout.”
The funniest part is that the hours of the store do not correlate with the hours the crew spends out front.  In fact, Surfside Liquors is not even open on Sunday or Monday; and the guys act like ambassadors to the store, warmly greeting the customers that walk by or telling them the stores hours.
Regardless of the sun shining or if someone forgot the dominos, you will find a few people sitting out front of Surfside.  They do not mind an audience for the games of dominos, and who knows, they might even let you play.