On Sat, 02 May 2015 09:34:18 -0400, Nancy Young
> wrote:

>On 5/2/2015 8:13 AM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>
>> The prices don't concern me; the place that's being bought didn't
>> have particularly low prices. But it's being converted into a
>> Kroger, and the other Kroger stores around here are pretty dismal.
>>
>> Still, I'm much too young to be set in my ways. Time to adapt.
>
>People don't seem to have anything good to say about Albertson's,
>but when they bought my local store chain, it was like 50 steps
>up from what it was. They even replaced the decrepit old store!
>
>That's when I learned that the location is owned by a local guy.
>Seems he'd been begging the old chain for a new store, sent them
>all the demographic data, they just didn't have the cash to do it.
>
>I'm curious if most supermarkets are a franchise type of deal.
>
>Your store didn't need improving, so chances are you're not going
>to be happier with the new chain, but maybe if it's franchised, the
>owner will do a better job than the other local Kroger's? Fingers
>crossed.
>
>nancy

When I moved here 12 years ago the market in town was a Grand Union,
it was ancient inside and out. The old time locals thought it was a
wonderful store, I couldn't agree less. The store was dirty, it
smelled, the roof leaked in so many places that with all the buckets
they placed on rainy days it was like traversing an obstacle course.
Their refrigeration was terrible, their deli reeked so bad I wouldn't
buy anything there. The only things good about that store was they
had a very good produce scetion and they sold excellent quality meats,
mostly from local farmers. The next nearest market was 15 miles away.
another old Grand Union that was actually more decrepit. Three years
agou To9ps Markets bought up the old Grand Unions and rehabed the
buildings nicely, inside and out, all new fixtures, new shelving,
brand new refrigeration units, new flooring, all new decor. All the
old timers agonized that their wonderful store would be ruined, they
couldn't be more wrong, yet three years later they are still
complaining how the old Grand Union was so much better. The m eat and
produce departments were totally modernized but they kept many of the
same employess and the meats are still from local farmers and still
excellent quality, and lower prices for the meats on sale each week,
this week top round steaks/roasts are $3.49/lb, and skinless boneless
breasts are $1.59/lb, I stocked up. Old time locals are complaining
about their high prices, but they forget that nowhere are prices the
same as five years ago, or even last year... the old time locals are
living way in the past. I'm pleased that Tops Market took over that
store.... they even replaced all the carts with brand spanking new,
the old carts were derelects. The deli is all cleaned up but no way
can they compete with Walmart's deli which is still a lot cleaner,
much more modern, and prices are about half. The only foods I buy at
Tops are their sale items that I can use and their fresh meats, I hate
Walmarts fresh meats. Most in season produce is about the same at
both but Walmart's prices are substantially lower, out of season
produce is far better quality at Walmart. But Walmart is 20 miles
away, so I stock up once a month, and fill in at Tops. I wouldn't
agonize about the new Kroger, give it a chance... you may be
pleasantly surprised... I can't imagine Kroger is taking over a store
with hopes to fail.