that led someone to this very blog:
equivalent to Winco Foods, east coast.
Winco is a large, cheap, grocery store chain that is bulk-food heaven. The search was by someone in Portland, OR - my last hometown.
It led to a long and rambly post about the lack of decent grocery stores here in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I am quite sure it did not help the searcher.
Hey, if you are still there: There is really NO equivalent to Winco Foods, at least in my part of the east coast. Giant Stores come close, but no cigar. It's missing the bulk foods and the cheap yet decent bakery bread. Winco's whole wheat... ahhh... I've had to start baking my own.
Showing posts with label grocery stores. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grocery stores. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Anticipation and disappointment in suburbia
Today was going to be a big day in our house. Our local big/cheap grocery store chain opened a new store nearby. The ad came in last week's mail - 4 full-color pages of grocery seduction. This was to be a "Giant Store like no other!" Gorgeous produce. Succulent meat. A Cheese Shoppe - not just a shop, but a shoppe! So elegant! Bulk bins! (I have documented my disgust with the local bulk bins before.) Then the invitation to find a printable coupon and store tour on the website! The kids and I raced to the computer and watched the video. Hmmm... looks great: cooking classes, community events, a nutritionist, bulk bins! (But no alcoholic beverages - in this backwards state those can only be purchased in "special" stores.) We printed our coupon, cleared the calendar, and made our plans.
But things happen around here, and we didn't get out at 10:30 as we'd planned. I wondered briefly if arriving there around lunchtime would be a problem. Didn't that ad say there was a food court? Ah well, it should be fine. Armed with our list, coupon, and directions, we headed out. Only to find a completely full parking lot. Cars parked in the fire lanes. Cars going around and around, waiting for someone to come out. And it was a big, big parking lot. It looked like Christmas Eve at the mall.
What the heck? What are all these people doing here? It's a grocery store grand opening, for crying out loud, not a major cultural event! Of course it made sense for us to be there - we're just a penniless suburban homeschool/student family out looking for some cheap thrills (and bulk spices). And samples, we were really anticipating some good samples. But don't these other people have better things to do?
So, defeated, we headed home. We knew that even if we scored a parking spot the lines would be too long. The samples might be all gone. (Thank the Lord we had eaten peanut butter sandwiches before we left the house.) The bulk bins emptied out by the hungry hordes who should have been working, or something, instead of hanging out in a grocery store.
Such is life, here in suburbia.
UPDATE: No wonder. I saw an article about it in the local news. There were musicians, clowns, and "local dignitaries" there today. We ended up going there tonight after dinner; it was still crowded but manageable. Nice store, but then new stores always are. The bulk bins were a disappointment. But the kids informed me that they saw a whoopie cushion for sale in the canned bean aisle. Hardee har har.
But things happen around here, and we didn't get out at 10:30 as we'd planned. I wondered briefly if arriving there around lunchtime would be a problem. Didn't that ad say there was a food court? Ah well, it should be fine. Armed with our list, coupon, and directions, we headed out. Only to find a completely full parking lot. Cars parked in the fire lanes. Cars going around and around, waiting for someone to come out. And it was a big, big parking lot. It looked like Christmas Eve at the mall.
What the heck? What are all these people doing here? It's a grocery store grand opening, for crying out loud, not a major cultural event! Of course it made sense for us to be there - we're just a penniless suburban homeschool/student family out looking for some cheap thrills (and bulk spices). And samples, we were really anticipating some good samples. But don't these other people have better things to do?
So, defeated, we headed home. We knew that even if we scored a parking spot the lines would be too long. The samples might be all gone. (Thank the Lord we had eaten peanut butter sandwiches before we left the house.) The bulk bins emptied out by the hungry hordes who should have been working, or something, instead of hanging out in a grocery store.
Such is life, here in suburbia.
UPDATE: No wonder. I saw an article about it in the local news. There were musicians, clowns, and "local dignitaries" there today. We ended up going there tonight after dinner; it was still crowded but manageable. Nice store, but then new stores always are. The bulk bins were a disappointment. But the kids informed me that they saw a whoopie cushion for sale in the canned bean aisle. Hardee har har.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)