T & D Mart

Hoo boy, where to start with the T&D Mart. I have been putting this review off for a while because I’m just not sure how I feel about the place! All things considered I finally decided the good and bad even out so I’m giving it a very «meh» 3 stars. Neutral, if you will.
If you’ve never been to the T&D Mart, it’s located on a really crazy intersection, which means traffic flow in the parking lot can be frustrating at times. The Mart itself shares a building with a consignment store.
If you stopped at the Mart solely for gas, you would likely be disappointed. Pay at the pump is fine, but the cashier nearly always has a line, and it can move pretty slowly. Their gas prices are on the higher end compared to other stations in Raleigh. Most annoying of all is that the pumps don’t have catches on them– meaning, you have to physically stand there pumping our own gas. None of that fancy «start gassing up then sit in your warm car until the pump stops on its own» here!
The inside of the T&D Mart, however, is where I get conflicted. It’s not your typical convenience store. It’s kind of like a shady, flea market-​slash-​neighborhood hangout-​slash-​convenience store. They have all the usual standbys, snacks, sodas, etc. They also have the largest selection of wine, beer, and red Solo cups that I have ever seen in a gas station, by a wide margin. This is also the type of place where you can pick up a glass pipe for your. ahem. «tobacco», or get a cup of coffee and chill playing video poker on one of their THREE machines, or do a few scratch-​offs while you chat with your friends. I’m always amazed that a place that has a bigger selection of pantyhose than your local drugstore also has fresher Naked juice than the «upscale» BP near my house.
The thing is, I’m pretty sure this place is actually on the up-​and-​up. Some of the clientele look a little iffy, but I’ve never actually felt uncomfortable or unsafe coming in here. If anything, people are actually really polite and friendly. It’s just that, you know, when they have a folding table full of discounted Egyptian cotton sheets by the register, you kind of get the impression that they fell off the back of the truck. If you know what I mean.
Long story short, if you need anything that could conceivably be sold in a convenience store, T&D Mart will probably be able to hook you up. Just don’t judge the book by its cover!