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??????
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…….
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.
Look wine…..(let me marinate that for a second). Ok some Kroger’s are better than others for example the one up the street from me 10 min never has anything and always crowded I can’t ever park close. The one 20 min away from me is less crowded and the selection is much bigger. I travel to grocery shop so I always go to the one 20 min from me. The area is about the same but the one farthest away is brand new so I don’t know if that’s a factor.
The one is Sandy Springs is new. Maybe about 5 years? But STILL. And the wine section… It was two rows long. SMH
I think we don’t make enough fuss, but then when you look at the population that would buy in relation to who wouldn’t the latter wins out. I grew up in that area and remember when there weren’t any stores. It’s come a long way but there is still ways to go.
Yes I know! I’m trying to keep that on mind, but the difference is just sooo HUGE! I’m hoping they will build a new one or remodel at least.
I know exactly what you mean! Have you ever been to the buckhead Kroger? Almost had to leave out the store to see the sign (to make sure this was in fact Kroger!). Also have you compared the two krogers on moreland??? They are on the same street but you would think they were in different cities!
Oh yeah, I forgot about the two on Morland! And have you been to the one on Sugerloaf?? CDub works across the street from that one and it’s out of this world!!!?
I live in the Sandy Springs area and have worked or lived in the area since 99. That Kroger has been there since 99. The thing is that it is a demographic thing. The one on Hammond (the one you went to) is nicer than the one on Chamblee Dunwoody which is less than 5 miles away. Unfortunately, Kroger has been known as a “cheap” store down with Walmart when it comes to food. and they have to cater to their environment to do business. They are competing with Whole Foods and Publix so they will put in things that the typical Whole Foods shoppers etc put in their stores.
I know it’s all about the clientele. BUT the differences are sooo obvious so blatant. Our Publix is the same way though. So it’s not just Kroger
Dang…that is messed up. When I live in Lithonia, I didn’t notice a big difference between that Publix and the one on Hammond but I have noted that Kroger in Sandy Springs is the nicest one I have EVER seen on any side of town including up 400 in Alpharetta.
It is SO nice. Even if my krogers get better, I think I’m still going to end up at the one in sandy springs just because.
Wow! We don’t have any Kroger’s stores here in Maryland, but I’ve seen similar instances where some stores in certain areas have more/better selections than the same stores in other areas. It’s really unfortunate. I think all people, no matter what, should have access to the same opportunities to have Starbucks and organic and gluten free foods. Maybe you could get a petition started! 🙂
That’s my whole point! The Starbucks is just a minor thing. The REAL issue is the lack of access! To healthier foods and better choices! And I would start a petition, but I honestly might be one if the few who cares. 🙁
But I WILL be speaking to whatever manager/ customer service rep they have at the store!
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.
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
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. 😆 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.
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.
Well, I just came from both, cuz I was out of Chobani. 😆 The Cascade one had about half the flavors on the shelf, but out of mine of course. So I went to the Greenbriar one, that had plenty of every single flavor. The price is up to $1.25 now. They use to do 10 for $10 them!
And I’m really starting to notice that this Greenbriar one is killing Cascade. I stopped going cuz the wait was always longer there, but now with the faster check out and how you can buy liquor at the Greenbriar one on Sundays (and not Cascade) I’m making the switch!!!
I also saw 3 or 4 different gluten free cake mixes and a couple of the products you show in the Sandy Springs photo above to. All is not lost! LOL
The greenbriar one IS better! But the cascade one has about half of the stuff I need vs the other one. the chobani in stock is a new thing though. Must be.
But still. I stand by the post. For ME the other Kroger is better for my needs. 🙁
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
I guess I’ll be taking field trips up to that one!
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!
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!
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.
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.