Most supermarkets in Strasbourg close by 8p.m. at the latest and all are closed on Sundays. Fortunately for those of us who have not planned ahead for the night's meal, we have the neighborhood epicerie, a convenience store that sells the basics that you might need or have forgotten to buy. It does come at some extra cost, sometimes as much as 3 times the price at the supermarket. Most seem to be owned by immigrants from Greece or Algeria. 
Our neighborhood epicerie is called Epicerie Mersel, owned by Said (Mersel is his family name). He came to France from Algeria 15 years ago in hopes of having a better life here. Back home many Algerians think life will be better in France, but Said told us that in fact, life was not any better here because even though you earn more, it is more expensive to live in France . Work is hard, starting at 7a.m. with a trip to the wholesale market to get the items needed to replenish stock, opening the store at 9a.m. and setting out the fruits and vegetables before customers arrive. The store is open from 9a.m. to 9p.m., 365 days a year. 
Said has agreed to let Guillaume film him for his next documentary. A few of the drunk customers became very upset when they were in the store and Guillaume had to assure them they were not being filmed too. We didn't know why they were so upset at this, but a few times it got quite heated!
It seems the most popular item in the store was alcohol, especially beer! Even the neighborhood homeless people would come in to buy a bottle or two of Kronenberg, one of the cheapest beers you can purchase and you can even return the empty bottles for credit!
