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Kroger vs Kroger: A Shopping Experience

Soooooo.

Last week, I had to return the lens I rented back toAperturent in  another part of the Atlanta Metro area known as Sandy Springs. While I was waiting for them to open, I decided I might as well do my grocery shopping while I was at it.  I chose Kroger since it was right across the street.

Now, I have to put in that I hardly ever do my FULL grocery shopping at my Kroger down here in Southwest Atlanta.  It’s not worth it. The only reason I’ve been going in lately is because their gluten free section is the closest I can get to Whole Foods which is too far away.  But the rest of the store always always leaves a lot to be desired. Dark, cluttered, produce and meat not always the best. Can’t even find Chobani yogurt on the shelves. Or even the kids Yopliat that Pookah likes. It’s dark, it’s dingy. It’s depressing.

Now, back to the Sandy Springs Kroger.

I walked in and the first thing that hits me?

The Starbucks in the front of the store giving off that wonderful aroma that I gave up for Lent.

OK OK.

Then the light…..it looks inviting. Like somewhere I’d want to shop.

The deli section: cheese everywhere. Smelly cheeses, nice cheeses….I felt like I was at Whole Foods across the street. I actually did a double take going through their deli. They had a hot bar. Where you could get hot food( and not just fried chicken)salad and pasta salad etc etc etc.

We don’t have a hot bar at EITHER of the Kroger’s near me. #FAIL

And then, I found the gluten free section.

Now, the gluten free section at MY Kroger is nice. But limited. And sometimes I have to question, how long has this stuff been on the shelf?

But the Sandy Springs Kroger??????

Kroger

My lord! Foods, flours, pastas….you name it, it was there. I got all but two of the flours I needed to bake for Pookah.  None of these could be found at MY Kroger.

I continued through the store in a daze: the fruit and vegetables were fresh and looked appealing. The meat was gorgeous. No old bloody meat to be found. The seafood section almost sent me into palpitations.  Something other than catfish and tilapia?? And of course, I found my Chobani and Pookahs Yoplait.

The frozen food section…why do they have Lean Cuisine’s that I’ve never heard of before??( and just to be sure, I did check my Kroger before I wrote this)

And then I saw the wine section…….

Kroger
And I was done.

Just done.

Why is there such a difference in the same grocery store chain? In the SAME metro area? Barely 20 miles apart???

Do they think that we on the southside wouldn’t like a Starbucks in our Kroger? Take a look at the one on Cascade and the one on Camp Creek. They are always packed.

Do they not think that we like yogurt? That we don’t want to eat healthy?That we don’t notice when we don’t have a good variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and seafood?  That I don’t want quality good priced gluten free foods for my son?

And the wine section!!!WE LIKE WINE IN SOUTHWEST ATLANTA!

SMH.

I paid for my selections, left and got cheap gas at the Kroger gas station.( And that’s another thing…)

I stoped by Whole Foods across the street where the only difference really in the two  stores, was selection of natural products and the Starbucks.

All of this leads me to the question: why do the haves always have access to “better” products and services and the “have nots” don’t?

I agree that there are a few socio-ecomomic factors that may keep things like freshly wrapped funky cheeses out of stock on my side of town. And the wine section….well, some folks on this side of town DO like their hard liquor. But still…..

The sad thing is, the area that I live in is a thriving area. Yes, it is an urban area, but there is also a thriving middle class and upper middle class and even dare I say a few of that population that makes 7 fiugres and above.

So why can’t we have a Kroger with at LEAST a Starbucks in it??????And can I get Chobani?????And a HOT BAR!?!?

Just a thought.

 

K. Rock

Wednesday 14th of March 2012

Such is life in the A-T-L. I live on the east side of town now but I grew on the SW side and the differences are night and day. When they built the Kroger on Moreland, a light shined down from above on it. It looks about the same as the Sandy Springs one. But the raggedy, dirty Kroger on Candler Rd is my closest one and I cant even mess with that one. But i am used to the societal, racial divide that exists here by now.

rosesdaughter

Friday 16th of March 2012

It bothers me so much sometimes! Maybe because I just like to shop in pretty grocery stores. And I am upset that I can't have that on my side of town. I'm mad that I have to spend gas money to go to the "good" grocery store.

TheProDiva

Tuesday 13th of March 2012

It's so funny you mention the discrepancies based on the area. There is a Stop and Shop near my job in what some may call an upscale part of the state. The store is unbelievable! The produce looks great. The section with the fruits and vegetables looks like a damn rainforest, and there's a Starbucks! Now, the Stop and Shop near my house is nice...but it ain't as nice as the one near my job. In fact, the Stop and Shop near my job is 100 times better! I think its a shame that those who live in what some may consider a "better" area are afforded better supermarket accommodations. I want a Starbucks in my damn Stop and Shop! And a rainforest!

rosesdaughter

Wednesday 14th of March 2012

You see where I'm coming from!!!!! I'm like really??? I want a nice Starbucks!! I want fresh stinky cheeses! It's the PRINCIPLE of the matter!

krissy

Monday 12th of March 2012

Its just as bad in cali to be honest but since I know this, I just go a little out of my way to shop for the things I need

rosesdaughter

Monday 12th of March 2012

I guess I'll be taking field trips up to that one!

MsJamie14

Monday 12th of March 2012

I shop at the Kroger on Cascade and the Kroger by Greenbriar and they ALWAYS have Chobani yogurt. I know this because I require one daily or I will go crazy. :lol: Now, whether they have my flavor is a different story, but they're always willing to go in the back and get it. But I've noticed the Greenbriar one has stocked up on my particular flavor, it's twice as large as the other flavors now.

Also, I was surprised that the Cascade Kroger had a better selection of Organic stuff than the Publix did. All I get is flaxseed and milk, but I can always find it. Are you sure you're really looking in the right places?

I've been to the Sandy Springs one and it's indeed better but it has to be becasue it's competing with WF right across the street.

rosesdaughter

Monday 12th of March 2012

What day are you shopping? I swear, whenever I go there is NEVER EVER what I want on the shelf. The yogurt section is always half empty. Am I shopping on the wrong day and getting there too late? I agree that they have gotten better with their selection than it used to be, but still, I want OUR Krogers to look feel and carry what seems to be normal at all the other ones. I don't want to have to make a 20 to 25 minute trip out of the way just so I can find the ingredients I need to feed my child. And the greenbriar Kroger has better meats. And vegetables. And they always have that Texas toast in the bread section that I use for french toast.

Cam | Bibs & Baubles

Monday 12th of March 2012

it's all over. the same can be said for the restaurants available in certain areas. fried and fatty are way too common in some areas and lo-cal and fresh are the norm and others. it gets under my skin too.

rosesdaughter

Monday 12th of March 2012

I know! Like there is no farmers market on my side of town or whole foods or any restaurant that's night a chain. There are a couple in town that have a gluten free section on their menu. But nothing but places that serve fried foods and chitterlings on my side. SMH