We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the same
strip mall and we didn't need to go in there. So we went to TJs. The place
was packed but I just don't get it. Although I didn't look at each and
every item, I really didn't see a thing that I couldn't get elsewhere. And
their prices didn't seem any cheaper. Our TJs is quite small though. So it
could be that there are others that sell more products than this one does.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
> We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
> interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the same
> strip mall ...

What is a 'strip mall'? Is that the same as 'shopping mall'?

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>> We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>> interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the same
>> strip mall ...
>
> What is a 'strip mall'? Is that the same as 'shopping mall'?

A shopping mall generally implies that at least some of it is enclosed so
that you can go from store to store without being exposed to the elements.
But as malls tend to expand, they sometimes have some stores on the outside
where you do have to go from store to store and you could get wet if it is
raining.

Strip malls often border shopping malls but they don't have to. It is
simply two or more stores or other businesses such as restaurants, hair or
nail salons, banks, etc., strung together in a row but sharing the same
parking lot. There may or may not be some sort of overhang that prevents
you from getting wet if you have to go from business to business.

Some strip malls have as little as 2-3 businesses there. Others are much
larger and might form an L shape or even have stores on 3 sides. Here's a
link that has pics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strip_malls

We had a different type of mall when I lived on Cape Cod but now I can't
remember the term for it. The businesses at two of the outer edges were all
connected, one of which being a large grocery store. The parking was
available surrounding the mall and you might have to walk a ways to get to
the business you wanted to visit because... In between the two sides were
many winding pathways, assorted gardens and other things to look at. Now
that I think about it, they may have called it a garden mall. Some of the
stores were connected in some fashion but not necessarily a strip. Although
my husband and I liked some of the stores there, we hated going there.
Reason being that the stores we wanted to go to were deep into the middle of
the place. There was simply no quick way to get there. You had to walk all
down the winding paths and that was no fun to do if it was raining. I think
it was intended more of a tourist attraction than anything else. They built
it not long before we moved from there so many of the spaces had not been
rented out yet.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>>> interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the same
>>> strip mall ...
>>
>> What is a 'strip mall'? Is that the same as 'shopping mall'?
>
> A shopping mall generally implies that at least some of it is enclosed so
> that you can go from store to store without being exposed to the elements.
> But as malls tend to expand, they sometimes have some stores on the
> outside where you do have to go from store to store and you could get wet
> if it is raining.

Thanks)
--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>>
>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>>>> interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the same
>>>> strip mall ...
>>>
>>> What is a 'strip mall'? Is that the same as 'shopping mall'?
>>
>> A shopping mall generally implies that at least some of it is enclosed so
>> that you can go from store to store without being exposed to the
>> elements. But as malls tend to expand, they sometimes have some stores on
>> the outside where you do have to go from store to store and you could get
>> wet if it is raining.
>
> Thanks)
>

The difference between a "Shopping Centre" and a "High Street"

Mike

"Bloke Down The Pub" > wrote in message
. au...
>
> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>>>>> interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the
>>>>> same strip mall ...
>>>>
>>>> What is a 'strip mall'? Is that the same as 'shopping mall'?
>>>
>>> A shopping mall generally implies that at least some of it is enclosed
>>> so that you can go from store to store without being exposed to the
>>> elements. But as malls tend to expand, they sometimes have some stores
>>> on the outside where you do have to go from store to store and you could
>>> get wet if it is raining.
>>
>> Thanks)
>>
>
> The difference between a "Shopping Centre" and a "High Street"

Thanks

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Julie Bove" wrote in message ...


"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>> We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>> interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the same
>> strip mall ...
>
> What is a 'strip mall'? Is that the same as 'shopping mall'?


Strip malls often border shopping malls but they don't have to. It is
simply two or more stores or other businesses such as restaurants, hair or
nail salons, banks, etc., strung together in a row but sharing the same
parking lot. There may or may not be some sort of overhang that prevents
you from getting wet if you have to go from business to business.

Some strip malls have as little as 2-3 businesses there. Others are much
larger and might form an L shape or even have stores on 3 sides. Here's a
link that has pics.

~~~~~~~~~
We often use the term "shopping plaza" to refer to this type of design.

MaryL

"MaryL" > wrote in message
...

> ~~~~~~~~~
> We often use the term "shopping plaza" to refer to this type of design.

That's what they were called when I was a kid. I think the first time I
heard this term was when Bruce Williams used it. That would have been in
the 1980's.

"Sqwertz" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 12 Jan 2014 04:04:51 -0800, Julie Bove wrote:
>
>> We had a different type of mall when I lived on Cape Cod but now I can't
>> remember the term for it. The businesses at two of the outer edges were
>> all
>> connected, one of which being a large grocery store. The parking was
>> available surrounding the mall and you might have to walk a ways to get
>> to
>> the business you wanted to visit because... In between the two sides
>> were
>> many winding pathways, assorted gardens and other things to look at.
>
> In California, at least, those would be "Town and Country". Not sure
> if that was a brand name or what, but they all that same style. We
> have them here in Texas as well. I think they may also be generically
> called open air malls.

Ah... Maybe that is what they called it. I do remember seeing some in CA
when we first moved there but not near where we lived.

On Sun, 12 Jan 2014 11:14:58 -0000, "Ophelia"
> wrote:
>
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
> > We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
> > interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the same
> > strip mall ...
>
> What is a 'strip mall'? Is that the same as 'shopping mall'?

When I visualize a "strip" mall, it is not enclosed. It is a small
shopping center where all the stores have their own entrance to the
parking lot and there is no interior corridor that connects the
stores.

--
"Corporations aren't people, they're Republicans"
(Rev Al Sharpton 10/7/2011)

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 12 Jan 2014 11:14:58 -0000, "Ophelia"
> > wrote:
>>
>>
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>> > interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the same
>> > strip mall ...
>>
>> What is a 'strip mall'? Is that the same as 'shopping mall'?
>
> When I visualize a "strip" mall, it is not enclosed. It is a small
> shopping center where all the stores have their own entrance to the
> parking lot and there is no interior corridor that connects the
> stores.

Thanks)
--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

On Sunday, January 12, 2014 4:37:50 AM UTC-8, Ophelia wrote:
> "sf" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > On Sun, 12 Jan 2014 11:14:58 -0000, "Ophelia"
>
> > > wrote:
>

> >> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>
> >> ...
>
> >> > We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
> >> > interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the same
> >> > strip mall ...
>
> >> What is a 'strip mall'? Is that the same as 'shopping mall'?
>
> > When I visualize a "strip" mall, it is not enclosed. It is a small
> > shopping center where all the stores have their own entrance to the
> > parking lot and there is no interior corridor that connects the
> > stores.
>
>
>
> Thanks)

In Chicago, they are modernizing some shopping districts that consisted of blocks of stores whose fronts were flush with the sidewalks, with strip
malls. The only practical difference is now you park in front of the
businesses instead of behind them.

> wrote in message
...
> On Sunday, January 12, 2014 4:37:50 AM UTC-8, Ophelia wrote:
>> "sf" > wrote in message
>>
>> ...
>>
>> > On Sun, 12 Jan 2014 11:14:58 -0000, "Ophelia"
>>
>> > > wrote:
>>
>
>> >> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>>
>> >> ...
>>
>> >> > We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>> >> > interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the
>> >> > same
>> >> > strip mall ...
>>
>> >> What is a 'strip mall'? Is that the same as 'shopping mall'?
>>
>> > When I visualize a "strip" mall, it is not enclosed. It is a small
>> > shopping center where all the stores have their own entrance to the
>> > parking lot and there is no interior corridor that connects the
>> > stores.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks)
>
> In Chicago, they are modernizing some shopping districts that consisted of
> blocks of stores whose fronts were flush with the sidewalks, with strip
> malls. The only practical difference is now you park in front of the
> businesses instead of behind them.

Oh? So are they more separated than they were, or have they more space out
front now?


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

> wrote in message
...
> On Sunday, January 12, 2014 4:37:50 AM UTC-8, Ophelia wrote:
>> "sf" > wrote in message
>>
>> ...
>>
>> > On Sun, 12 Jan 2014 11:14:58 -0000, "Ophelia"
>>
>> > > wrote:
>>
>
>> >> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>>
>> >> ...
>>
>> >> > We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>> >> > interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the
>> >> > same
>> >> > strip mall ...
>>
>> >> What is a 'strip mall'? Is that the same as 'shopping mall'?
>>
>> > When I visualize a "strip" mall, it is not enclosed. It is a small
>> > shopping center where all the stores have their own entrance to the
>> > parking lot and there is no interior corridor that connects the
>> > stores.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks)
>
> In Chicago, they are modernizing some shopping districts that consisted of
> blocks of stores whose fronts were flush with the sidewalks, with strip
> malls. The only practical difference is now you park in front of the
> businesses instead of behind them.

Hmmm... They are now doing the opposite here and I just don't get it. You
can't really tell what the businesses are from the busy streets they are on
because you just see a small sign with the name and the back of the
business. The buildings literally bump up to the sidewalk. Took me so long
to figure out that this one place was a wine and cheese bar that by the time
I did figure it out, it was something else. They are also doing really wild
designs with the buildings. They do attract your eye but in order to figure
out what they are, unless you get backed up in traffic and are just sitting
there, you have to drive around.

There is a section of stores in Berwick PA in the downtown area that has a
parking lot behind it. I have seen such a setup in other places too.

On 1/12/2014 7:14 AM, sf wrote:
> On Sun, 12 Jan 2014 11:14:58 -0000, "Ophelia"
> > wrote:
>>
>>
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>>> interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the same
>>> strip mall ...
>>
>> What is a 'strip mall'? Is that the same as 'shopping mall'?
>
> When I visualize a "strip" mall, it is not enclosed. It is a small
> shopping center where all the stores have their own entrance to the
> parking lot and there is no interior corridor that connects the
> stores.
>
That's as good a description as any.

Jill

On Sunday, January 12, 2014 5:14:58 AM UTC-6, Ophelia wrote:
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>
> > interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the same
>
> > strip mall ...
>
>
>
> What is a 'strip mall'? Is that the same as 'shopping mall'?

A strip-mall is an American disgrace whereby a municipality will buy a row of houses, demolish them, and sell the land cheap to a construction company that in turn will put up a row of cheaply made storefronts that will house chain-restaurants, insurance agent's offices, tanning salons, and the like..

> wrote in message
...
On Sunday, January 12, 2014 5:14:58 AM UTC-6, Ophelia wrote:
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>
> > interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the same
>
> > strip mall ...
>
>
>
> What is a 'strip mall'? Is that the same as 'shopping mall'?

A strip-mall is an American disgrace whereby a municipality will buy a row
of houses, demolish them, and sell the land cheap to a construction company
that in turn will put up a row of cheaply made storefronts that will house
chain-restaurants, insurance agent's offices, tanning salons, and the like.

------

Not always. This particular one has been here since we moved here in the
1960's. They have expanded on it over the years but no houses were torn
down. There is the TJ's, Half Price Book, a cell phone shop, Hallmark
(cards), Albertsons (groceries), Sally Beauty, a Teriyaki shop, a paint
store, a hobby shop (models) and perhaps a few other small places that are
of no interest to me. There is also a Hobby Lobby, a bank and a Shari's
restaurant at the outer edges of the parking lot.

I think at some point there had been a small school or a park where the
Hobby Lobby is now. We used to have a big thing called Lynn-O-Rama each
year. I remember taking my nephew to it when he was little. There was sort
of a carnival and a parade although it was quite small as parades and
carnivals go.

I just remember my brother getting very angry at my nephew because he had no
interest whatever in the festival and attached himself to a swing that was
on a swing set that was always there. That's why I think it had to have
been a park or a school. Most likely a school that was closed. Most of the
schools in that city have been torn down and moved to other areas as the
population changed.

When we first moved here, that city was little more than woods. Not many
people lived there but there was a busy street going through it with
businesses on it. It also used to have a rather bad reputation and people
didn't want to claim to live there. That has changed somewhat as more and
more houses are built. But it used to be a place of low rent apartments.

The worst thing I ever saw in that city was something I had only ever read
about and never seen. Went to look at a rental place with my friend. There
was a little dirt road that one wouldn't know was there unless like us, they
had to drive down it. What we found were an assortment of tiny, dark brown
buildings, sided with wood shingles. One was missing the porch and there
was an assortment of crap piled up there so that you could climb up it to
get in. This included a pallet and some patio blocks. Dirty, scrappy
children were running loose on the grounds, speaking excitedly of a fire and
there was a chicken squawking around.

We knocked on the door of a building as per the instructions and what
appeared to be a grizzled old man came out. His face looked like one of
those dolls that people used to make with dried apples for the head. Deep
wrinkles on more deep wrinkles. Wrinkles so bad that you could barely see
his eyes. Eyes set in such a deep squint that you couldn't really tell what
color they were.

He led us to one building saying that it was such a shame that he'd had to
kick the woman out. He said he hadn't kicked her out because of the fire
(which we asked about) but because she had 5 children living in there.
There is a law here that a building can house so many people per so much
square feet and this violated it. One of the children had started the fire.
Damage of it could still be seen and the whole place reeked of it.

My friend and I both stepped into the place and didn't go beyond that one
step. The entire one bedroom place could be seen from there. It was as
though they divided the tiny place into four equal pieces of equal
proportions. Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room. As you can
imagine, the bathroom was comically oversized while everything else was
dwarfed.

My friend and I both looked at each other with sort of a look of surprise,
shock, horror, not even sure what! We just wanted to get out of there. So
we did. She thanked the man and we left. I was driving. I think it was a
full 2 minutes before we spoke to each other because we were just so stunned
about the experience.

What is there now *is* a strip mall. And that's probably a good thing. I
do know that there is a need for low income housing but... Places like that
just shouldn't exist in this country.

On 1/19/14, 6:47 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
> ... whereby a municipality will buy a row of houses, demolish them, and
> sell the land cheap....

Do you you really believe this fiction, or do you
make this stuff up to troll the group?


-- Larry

"pltrgyst" > wrote in message
...
> On 1/19/14, 6:47 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> ... whereby a municipality will buy a row of houses, demolish them, and
> > sell the land cheap....
>
> Do you you really believe this fiction, or do you
> make this stuff up to troll the group?

*I* didn't write that. That was some bad snipping there. and no, I don't
necessarily believe that. I do know that houses can be bought up for
various reasons but it's not all that common around these parts. Or maybe
it is and I just don't know about it. I do know that there were a lot of
what appeared to be landlocked houses when we moved here. We used to joke
that they were haunted or something. One had been in a fire. They have
recently been torn down. In one area they are putting up new houses. In
the other it's apartment buildings.

When we moved here, this area was making the switch from sleepy farm country
to a much more populated place and it's just growing larger and larger.

On Sun, 19 Jan 2014 19:55:16 -0500, pltrgyst > wrote:

> On 1/19/14, 6:47 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
> >
> > ... whereby a municipality will buy a row of houses, demolish them, and
> > sell the land cheap....
>
> Do you you really believe this fiction, or do you
> make this stuff up to troll the group?
>
How could you not see who really posted that? PVC changed her address
again.


--

Good Food.
Good Friends.
Good Memories.

On Sunday, January 19, 2014 6:55:16 PM UTC-6, pltrgyst wrote:
> On 1/19/14, 6:47 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
> >
>
> > ... whereby a municipality will buy a row of houses, demolish them, and
>
> > sell the land cheap....
>
>
>
> Do you you really believe this fiction, or do you
>
> make this stuff up to troll the group?

Learn to trim and attribute posts properly, ****nuts.

Julie Bove wrote:
>
> We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
> interest. Nope.

Trader Joe's doesn't do much for me either. I haven't been impressed
with the few things that I've bought there. IMO, it's a "cool kid"
grocery store.

IE - "Oh, I *never* shop at a regular grocery store (gasp!).
I only shop at TJ's or WF.

G.

"Gary" > wrote in message ...
> Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>> interest. Nope.
>
> Trader Joe's doesn't do much for me either. I haven't been impressed
> with the few things that I've bought there. IMO, it's a "cool kid"
> grocery store.
>
> IE - "Oh, I *never* shop at a regular grocery store (gasp!).
> I only shop at TJ's or WF.

We went to WF too but only bought a few things. I try to do the bulk of my
grocery shopping at Winco when I can but it's not close to where I live.
Prices are cheap though so mostly get the shelf stable stuff there.
Albertsons is probably my next most used store only because there is one by
daughter's dance studio. So if I just need a few things, I can usually get
them there. Also use Costco and PCC or Central Market both of which are
similar to WF but Central Market also sells some mainstream products like
Coke and Pepsi.

I used to really be into the organic thing but was saddened to see that
despite things being grown organically, they are still picking up chemicals
so are not necessarily as pristine as one would hope. So... Now I just go
for the cheap with my produce.

Julie Bove wrote:
> We went to WF too but only bought a few things. I try to do the bulk of
> my grocery shopping at Winco when I can but it's not close to where I
> live. Prices are cheap though so mostly get the shelf stable stuff
> there. Albertsons is probably my next most used store only because there
> is one by daughter's dance studio. So if I just need a few things, I can
> usually get them there. Also use Costco and PCC or Central Market both
> of which are similar to WF but Central Market also sells some mainstream
> products like Coke and Pepsi.
>
> I used to really be into the organic thing but was saddened to see that
> despite things being grown organically, they are still picking up
> chemicals so are not necessarily as pristine as one would hope. So...
> Now I just go for the cheap with my produce.

Then you get into the whole issue of provenance. For example, if an
organic thing comes from an extremely polluted area, "organic" is still
not good enough.


--
Jean B.

On Sun, 12 Jan 2014 07:40:29 -0500, Gary > wrote:

> Julie Bove wrote:
> >
> > We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
> > interest. Nope.
>
> Trader Joe's doesn't do much for me either. I haven't been impressed
> with the few things that I've bought there. IMO, it's a "cool kid"
> grocery store.
>
> IE - "Oh, I *never* shop at a regular grocery store (gasp!).
> I only shop at TJ's or WF.
>
Who says that?

--
"Corporations aren't people, they're Republicans"
(Rev Al Sharpton 10/7/2011)

sf wrote:
>
> On Sun, 12 Jan 2014 07:40:29 -0500, Gary > wrote:
>
> > Julie Bove wrote:
> > >
> > > We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
> > > interest. Nope.
> >
> > Trader Joe's doesn't do much for me either. I haven't been impressed
> > with the few things that I've bought there. IMO, it's a "cool kid"
> > grocery store.
> >
> > IE - "Oh, I *never* shop at a regular grocery store (gasp!).
> > I only shop at TJ's or WF.
> >
> Who says that?

Probably YOU, for one. You project yourself to fit the profile.

G.

On Sun, 12 Jan 2014 09:33:34 -0500, Gary > wrote:

> sf wrote:
> >
> > On Sun, 12 Jan 2014 07:40:29 -0500, Gary > wrote:
> >
> > > Julie Bove wrote:
> > > >
> > > > We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
> > > > interest. Nope.
> > >
> > > Trader Joe's doesn't do much for me either. I haven't been impressed
> > > with the few things that I've bought there. IMO, it's a "cool kid"
> > > grocery store.
> > >
> > > IE - "Oh, I *never* shop at a regular grocery store (gasp!).
> > > I only shop at TJ's or WF.
> > >
> > Who says that?
>
> Probably YOU, for one. You project yourself to fit the profile.
>
Then you'd be wrong. I'm the one who complains about all the
"complainahs" who think TJ's *should* be a full service grocery store
and then yap about how awful it is after they figure out that it's
not. And I rarely shop at WF.


--
"Corporations aren't people, they're Republicans"
(Rev Al Sharpton 10/7/2011)

Gary > wrote in :

> Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>> interest. Nope.
>
> Trader Joe's doesn't do much for me either. I haven't been impressed
> with the few things that I've bought there. IMO, it's a "cool kid"
> grocery store.
>
> IE - "Oh, I *never* shop at a regular grocery store (gasp!).
> I only shop at TJ's or WF.
>
> G.

There's a class of store, like TJ, WF, and Wegman's, that I go to
occasionally like I'd occasionally go to Disneyworld, for the glitz and
the glamour. And like Disneyworld, they're pretty much always
overpriced. I very seldom buy anything at them, although each has one or
two things that are reasonably priced that I enjoy, but they're fun to
wander through. I put them all in the same class as the yuppie one-off
food stores that usually have the word "Farm" in their name and require a
Dun and Bradstreet rating to enter.

And I always wonder when I look at the people who obviously do their
regular shopping in places like that, how the Hades can they afford it?

"Alan Holbrook" > wrote in message
. 3.30...
> Gary > wrote in :
>
>> Julie Bove wrote:
>>>
>>> We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>>> interest. Nope.
>>
>> Trader Joe's doesn't do much for me either. I haven't been impressed
>> with the few things that I've bought there. IMO, it's a "cool kid"
>> grocery store.
>>
>> IE - "Oh, I *never* shop at a regular grocery store (gasp!).
>> I only shop at TJ's or WF.
>>
>> G.
>
> There's a class of store, like TJ, WF, and Wegman's, that I go to
> occasionally like I'd occasionally go to Disneyworld, for the glitz and
> the glamour. And like Disneyworld, they're pretty much always
> overpriced. I very seldom buy anything at them, although each has one or
> two things that are reasonably priced that I enjoy, but they're fun to
> wander through. I put them all in the same class as the yuppie one-off
> food stores that usually have the word "Farm" in their name and require a
> Dun and Bradstreet rating to enter.
>
> And I always wonder when I look at the people who obviously do their
> regular shopping in places like that, how the Hades can they afford it?

I don't think TJs has bad prices. Just not really good prices on a lot of
things. I have never seen anyone with a full cart at WFs though. Like me,
they buy perhaps 2-12 items at a time. And oddly enough, some of what we
buy is not groceries. I have bought books in there and daughter has bought
shoes.

Julie Bove wrote:
>
> I don't think TJs has bad prices. Just not really good prices on a lot of
> things. I have never seen anyone with a full cart at WFs though. Like me,
> they buy perhaps 2-12 items at a time. And oddly enough, some of what we
> buy is not groceries. I have bought books in there and daughter has bought
> shoes.

Whole Food sells shoes? Must be organic shoes or maybe vegetarian/soy
shoes?

G.

"Gary" > wrote in message ...
> Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> I don't think TJs has bad prices. Just not really good prices on a lot
>> of
>> things. I have never seen anyone with a full cart at WFs though. Like
>> me,
>> they buy perhaps 2-12 items at a time. And oddly enough, some of what we
>> buy is not groceries. I have bought books in there and daughter has
>> bought
>> shoes.
>
> Whole Food sells shoes? Must be organic shoes or maybe vegetarian/soy
> shoes?

They sell the Tom's brand. But they only have a few dozen pairs on display.
If you see some you like but not your size, ask. Daughter has gotten very
lucky to get the new styles there. Nordstrom will sell out right away where
as WF does not. They also have a small amount of organic clothing.

On Tue, 14 Jan 2014 09:12:36 -0600, barbie gee >
wrote:

> In our area, TJ's is considered to be an "affordable" version of a mini-Whole Foods.

Trader Joe's is much more affordable than WF and usually better priced
for a higher quality product than a regular grocery store. I have no
idea what a Wegman's is, so I can't make any comparisons to that.


--

Good Food.
Good Friends.
Good Memories.

On 14-Jan-2014, sf > wrote:

> On Tue, 14 Jan 2014 09:12:36 -0600, barbie gee >
> wrote:
>
> > In our area, TJ's is considered to be an "affordable" version of a
> > mini-Whole Foods.
>
> Trader Joe's is much more affordable than WF and usually better priced
> for a higher quality product than a regular grocery store.

That has been my experience as well. However, I don't buy very many things
there because the store is dominated by things I don't use - like frozen
meals and, especially, highly-processed foods. While I find their flank
steak and rack of lamb to be excellent, in quality and value, they are among
the few meats not injected/flavored with something; I want unadulterated
meat. A high percentage of the vegetables offered are pre-somethinged -
sliced, chopped, seasoned, etc.

Perhaps this is not the case in all TJ's; the two I shop in the St. Louis
suburbs are in highly-affluent areas; the typical shopper is a Suburban
driving, cell-phone addicted, under 40 female whose cart is filled with
ready to heat dishes and entrees. The next most typical is the over-40,
past-her-prime, Lexus/Mercedes female with a cart full of wine, cheese and
crackers. Finally, there are the rest of us; out of our element, picking up
a few bargains and things we like that are hard to find elsewhere.

"l not -l" > wrote in message
eb.com...
>
> On 14-Jan-2014, sf > wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 14 Jan 2014 09:12:36 -0600, barbie gee >
>> wrote:
>>
>> > In our area, TJ's is considered to be an "affordable" version of a
>> > mini-Whole Foods.
>>
>> Trader Joe's is much more affordable than WF and usually better priced
>> for a higher quality product than a regular grocery store.
>
> That has been my experience as well. However, I don't buy very many
> things
> there because the store is dominated by things I don't use - like frozen
> meals and, especially, highly-processed foods. While I find their flank
> steak and rack of lamb to be excellent, in quality and value, they are
> among
> the few meats not injected/flavored with something; I want unadulterated
> meat. A high percentage of the vegetables offered are pre-somethinged -
> sliced, chopped, seasoned, etc.
>
> Perhaps this is not the case in all TJ's; the two I shop in the St. Louis
> suburbs are in highly-affluent areas; the typical shopper is a Suburban
> driving, cell-phone addicted, under 40 female whose cart is filled with
> ready to heat dishes and entrees. The next most typical is the over-40,
> past-her-prime, Lexus/Mercedes female with a cart full of wine, cheese and
> crackers. Finally, there are the rest of us; out of our element, picking
> up
> a few bargains and things we like that are hard to find elsewhere.

The typical shopper here seems to be in some sort of fugue state or possibly
high on drugs. Then there is usually the out of control child. Going into
that store is an experience! And never a good one.

On Tue, 14 Jan 2014 18:59:09 GMT, "l not -l" > wrote:

>
> On 14-Jan-2014, sf > wrote:
>
> > On Tue, 14 Jan 2014 09:12:36 -0600, barbie gee >
> > wrote:
> >
> > > In our area, TJ's is considered to be an "affordable" version of a
> > > mini-Whole Foods.
> >
> > Trader Joe's is much more affordable than WF and usually better priced
> > for a higher quality product than a regular grocery store.
>
> That has been my experience as well. However, I don't buy very many things
> there because the store is dominated by things I don't use - like frozen
> meals and, especially, highly-processed foods. While I find their flank
> steak and rack of lamb to be excellent, in quality and value, they are among
> the few meats not injected/flavored with something; I want unadulterated
> meat.

Me too.

> A high percentage of the vegetables offered are pre-somethinged -
> sliced, chopped, seasoned, etc.

I don't have a problem with prepared vegetables. If I don't want to
do it, I shop there. In fact, I bought a bag of cubed butternut
squash today. They have plenty of do it yourself vegetables if I
don't care and if they don't have the particular vegetable what I
want, I can always go elsewhere.
>
> Perhaps this is not the case in all TJ's; the two I shop in the St. Louis
> suburbs are in highly-affluent areas; the typical shopper is a Suburban
> driving, cell-phone addicted, under 40 female whose cart is filled with
> ready to heat dishes and entrees. The next most typical is the over-40,
> past-her-prime, Lexus/Mercedes female with a cart full of wine, cheese and
> crackers. Finally, there are the rest of us; out of our element, picking up
> a few bargains and things we like that are hard to find elsewhere.

I dropped by TJ's today because it's just a few blocks away. We
needed eggs and their extra large eggs are always a good price...
well, they didn't get their egg delivery today so I bought large (the
only size they had), cage free (no antibiotics, no hormones, all
natural feed) eggs for $3.29. The eggs I usually buy at TJ's are
about $1 less, but they are just regular extra large eggs - nothing
special about them except the price.

As usual, I cruised the frozen fish section looking for the mahi-mahi
pieces and as usual, didn't see them... but I did check the raw shrimp
(peeled). They were labeled as Wild Argentinean - $6 lb. I see now
that I should have looked at the cooked shrimp...


--

Good Food.
Good Friends.
Good Memories.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 14 Jan 2014 09:12:36 -0600, barbie gee >
> wrote:
>
>> In our area, TJ's is considered to be an "affordable" version of a
>> mini-Whole Foods.
>
> Trader Joe's is much more affordable than WF and usually better priced
> for a higher quality product than a regular grocery store. I have no
> idea what a Wegman's is, so I can't make any comparisons to that.

Higher quality food? I must disagree. Between all the recalls and the
spoiled produce, I would say that most any other grocery store is a better
bet.

Julie Bove wrote:
> Higher quality food? I must disagree. Between all the recalls and the
> spoiled produce, I would say that most any other grocery store is a
> better bet.

I see seven recalls for the last 5+ years, four of which were because of
the problem with peanuts and peanut butter.

I don't recall seeing spoiled produce there.

--
Jean B.

On 12-Jan-2014, "Julie Bove" > wrote:

> We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
> interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the same
> strip mall and we didn't need to go in there. So we went to TJs. The
> place
> was packed but I just don't get it. Although I didn't look at each and
> every item, I really didn't see a thing that I couldn't get elsewhere.
> And
> their prices didn't seem any cheaper. Our TJs is quite small though. So
> it
> could be that there are others that sell more products than this one does.
Interest in TJ's is dependent on what kinds of foods you like and your
willingness to experiment. When I first encountered TJ's, it was when I was
travelling to SFBA on a regular basis; many folks raved about TJ's but I saw
nothing of interest. $2 bottles of wine were important to others, but I
don't drink, therefor couldn't care less.

However, TJ's now is available in my area and I go once a month or so to
stock up on a few things. Blistered peanuts are sooooo good and
unavailable anywhere else I shop. Uncle Sam cereal (which I eat several
days each week) is nearly $1/box less expensive. The cheese selection is
excellent and well priced. Flank steak is very good and $1.5--$2/lb cheaper
than at most supermarkets. There are two shopping bags full of such things
I buy from TJ's on my monthly trip; there'd be more if I were hung up on
"organic" foods; their price for organic produce is much better than most
supermarkets.

"l not -l" > wrote in message
eb.com...
>
> On 12-Jan-2014, "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>
>> We stopped in there yesterday just to see if there was something of
>> interest. Nope. Actually my mom needed to go into a store in the same
>> strip mall and we didn't need to go in there. So we went to TJs. The
>> place
>> was packed but I just don't get it. Although I didn't look at each and
>> every item, I really didn't see a thing that I couldn't get elsewhere.
>> And
>> their prices didn't seem any cheaper. Our TJs is quite small though. So
>> it
>> could be that there are others that sell more products than this one
>> does.
> Interest in TJ's is dependent on what kinds of foods you like and your
> willingness to experiment. When I first encountered TJ's, it was when I
> was
> travelling to SFBA on a regular basis; many folks raved about TJ's but I
> saw
> nothing of interest. $2 bottles of wine were important to others, but I
> don't drink, therefor couldn't care less.
>
> However, TJ's now is available in my area and I go once a month or so to
> stock up on a few things. Blistered peanuts are sooooo good and
> unavailable anywhere else I shop. Uncle Sam cereal (which I eat several
> days each week) is nearly $1/box less expensive. The cheese selection is
> excellent and well priced. Flank steak is very good and $1.5--$2/lb
> cheaper
> than at most supermarkets. There are two shopping bags full of such
> things
> I buy from TJ's on my monthly trip; there'd be more if I were hung up on
> "organic" foods; their price for organic produce is much better than most
> supermarkets.

The produce at mine is often bad. I've been burned so many times on it, I
won't buy it. Have not tried their blistered peanuts but have tried them
from other places and did not care for them.

On 1/12/2014 5:27 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
>
> The produce at mine is often bad. I've been burned so many times on
> it, I won't buy it. Have not tried their blistered peanuts but have
> tried them from other places and did not care for them.

The produce at my local TJ's is superior to the grocery stores in our
area, with the exception of the produce found at the high end/luxury
grocery store. It's almost always cheaper, too. I don't care for their
dairy line, the milk/cream/sour cream is inferior to what's available
everywhere else. I buy my cheese and butter direct from a creamery, so
I'm not interested in TJ's cheeses. Their fresh meats tend to be
pricey compared to my neighborhood butcher shops, and of course their
selection isn't as good. I do like their ultra-thin sliced boneless
pork chops, though. They also have the lowest prices in town on fresh
cut flowers.

Their packages of sunflower seeds are half the price of the brands
found at regular retail stores. We are very fond of their dried pasta,
the canned Alaskan red salmon, their organic tomato basil marinara,
and their low-sodium and organic chicken and beef stocks.