CONSTANTINE Stores is an Aladdin's Cave of alcoholic drinks.
Off the beaten track between Falmouth and Helston, this gem will almost certainly house your favourite tipple, whether it be gin, rum, wine, whisky, vodka or just about anything else.
Mark Rowe, whose father began the business more than 60 years ago, said: "We're in the middle of nowhere really, so we have to be a destination which people are prepared to travel to.
"We have more than 1,000 whiskies, over 500 gins and two or three hundred vodkas and rums. We also have more than 1,000 wines from the very expensive down to the budget, so hopefully we can suit everyone's pocket."
The company's digital arm is called Drink Finder, on which you can browse any number of weird and wonderful options. A gin bauble, for example.
For all it's alcoholic choices, however, Mark made a surprising observation about current trends.
"Gins continues to be popular and we're extending our range, while tequila, mezcal and rum are growing. What is also becoming very popular now is non-alcholic drinks - gin and wine, sparkling wine, is very popular. There's a big growth in non-alcoholic at the moment - maybe that's just for dry January!" he said.
The store is a real throw-back in many ways, with Cornish produce including gifts and cards also on sale.
But the store is all about the avenues of alcohol to meet any occasion.
"We deal with whisky collectors all over Europe. People who come on holiday to Cornwall will make an annual pilgrimage to come and see us, which is very nice," said Mark.
Constantine Stores is in Fore Street, opposite the Tolmen Centre. It opens at 9am and closes at 5.30pm every day, but shuts for lunch between 1pm and 2pm.
On Sunday it opens at 9.30am and closes at 12.30pm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel