A Certain Grocery

Neither Rant nor Rave...just Read.

Okay. Everyone in the RVA blogiverse seems to have a very passionate opinion about our locally owned and operated medium-sized grocery. Either you hate it or love it. Me? Well, I am very much in the middle. This is why -

I believe the company is run to the best of the abilities of the people who run the show. It is a business that tries to remain competitive in a world of Costco's and Walmarts and hell, even Target, 'cause I love me some Super Target.

I worked above store level for a few years, I can assure you that the company is neither nefarious nor overly zealous in business practices. And no, I did not drink the proverbial kool-aide. People who work for this company swear, drink and screw just like everyone else outside of work (and sometimes in but that is another story).

Sure, you may have heard about this or that in the past about blocking such and such a store from coming to Richmond or being closed on Sundays or the refusal to sell alcohol. Seriously? The company is not the largest retailer or even the most affluent in the area.

If competitive business wants to open a business in Richmond - it happens regardless. There are billions of legal, financial and strategic reasons for a business to open or not to open.

Closed on Sundays and not selling alcohol? It is in deference to the patriarch of the family who started the business in the 30's. Sure money is grand but isn't respecting your father/grandfather's wishes?

Also, product and customer service, if it sucks, complain loud and proud. There are people who's sole responsibility is to respond to phone calls and letters with customer "concerns." For a short time, I was one of those people. Everyone who had a legitimate complaint or defective product received an apology, phone call or letter, and compensation either in product replacement or refund. Location managers will fall over themselves to help you out. There is a "meat guy" and a "produce guy" and so on and so forth responsible for the category company wide. If you call and ask for that person - you will get a person on the phone. Would this happen at another national retailer? Maybe.

And the family? They are quirky and, to me, seemed a bit isolated from what I consider the nitty gritty real world but they are nice enough people.

Am I a fan? Even though I worked there I am an equal opportunity shopper. We shop at pretty much all of the groceries for different items and for different reasons. But we have a choice. And so do you.