I was at the grocery store the other evening. I decided to go to a different United than the one I have frequented for nearly 10 years because it's slightly closer to my apartment by about 30 seconds. I was almost immediately frustrated the moment I walked in. I would like to know how the powers that be in grocer chains decide what the layout will be for an individual store. To me it makes sense to build them them to have the exact same floorplan and stock arrangement. Now, I can understand the desire to cater to the neighborhood and the diversity therein, but is it too much to ask that the bittersweet chocolate always be directly across aisle from the cake mixes? Cannot the Mediterranean dried apricots be at the end of canned fruit and juice aisle in every store?
The thing that really struck me was the sign for Aisle 2: Religious Candles, Salsa, Mexican, Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce. Religious candles? I had to go check to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. Sure enough, at the end of Aisle 2A, just past the Mexican soda pop and across from the Noodle Roni was a collection of candles swathed in religious iconography. I didn't notice any saints for lost and confused grocery shoppers, one that might help me find the bittersweet chocolate.
Then I went to the one where I usually shop because at the very least I'll see that handsome management chap who I enjoy looking at. I was on a quest for mascarpone cheese to put in my tiramisu cake. I'd seen there before many times, but could I find it this trip? Nope. Not only that, I couldn't find any religious candles with patron saints to help me in my search. What is the deal, United people? It became a true quest as I sought out at the Wal-mart on West 82nd and Milwaukee, the Market Street on 82nd and Frankford and finally discovered my prize at the Original Market Street on 50th and Indiana. OK, so they cater to neighborhoods and all, but couldn't they make them the least bit familiar to the person who doesn't frequently shop there, but has to out of necessity. It's hard to get around in a strange place when you're far from home!
8 comments:
It is a little frustrating huh? I go to the same store and even IT will change around...which I know is necessary...but I'm too old for a whole lot of changes!! Makes me think I'm senile or something...which could be true, but let's not go there just yet ;-)
oh...and by the way...that cake was worth whatever you had to do to make it!! That was to die for!!! Thank you thank you thank you
I agree with Sherry ... even if you had to travel outside the city limits to purchase ingredients ... that cake was worth it.
I'm such an infrequent shopper than the only store whose layout I have memorized is the Taylor station at Indiana and 82nd. When I go to the grocery store I usually end up having to ask someone where things are. I've learned to look for someone that has similar items to what I'm looking for in their cart. Then I swallow my pride and ask, "Do you know where the milk is?"
Man, I hear you sister, we are all in the same boat, lost in the endless isles of the grocery store/super-duper super market.
I have become dizzy from turning my head from side to side, back and forth while walking down an isle, where did they put it, my lost item is the cherry pie filling.
Albertson's had a whole different idea of where cherry pie filling should be than United, and Wal-mart has even figured out a totaly less convenient place to stock theirs.
I actually believe there are men, men mind you,men who do not grocery shop as much as women, just admit it, these said men go to school to learn how to stock a grocery store in the best way to sell the most items, and to try and confuse and frustrate women.
Remember, men and women do not think a like, so what makes sense to a man, will never ever make sense to us ladies.
sorry for all your trips around town looking for the cheese for the cake, That cake was worth the $100 in gas money, and 5 hours of your time driving around, and then the additional time to bake it. Not sure I would have hung in there, but we were all grateful you did,
You could change the name to "Worth a Million Cake"
Yum Yum
Celia
Well, I too have my issues with gorcery stores. Mine usually occur at Untied. And most of the time I can go to any wal-mart across the state and find what I am looking for...I've shopped there so much for my three hungry boys that I feel like I could tell people where to find most things.
BUT what really has me going is this cake. Everyone is raving about it so much that I am completely jealous not to have had any. Maybe next time you can post about this marvel of a dessert! The comments alone deserve elaboration (AND I haven't had breakfast yet).
I am with the other girls. Your cake was fantastic (I am saying that in my best Lucha Libre voice). We missed you yesterday. I think you are in school right now so I am cautious not to call you, but I will be ringing later.
Amy
HA HA! I just heard on the radio that going to a store different from your regular one (along with doing suduko, crosswords, brushing your teeth with the opposite hand) helps create new pathways in your brain and keeps your brain younger longer. Next time I see someone aimlessly wandering around in my store I will admire them for creating new pathways instead of feeling sorry for them that they just passed the velveeta for the
5th time!
Lisa...can you find iguana in the store? hahahahha I never knew about the restaurant with it on the menu. I would probably not have tried it in Lubock. blessings
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