Earth Fare

[thevillages2013]

Just a prediction (with the current economy and inflation running rampant) this place “ ain’t gonna make it.

[BigSteph]

I want all local businesses to be successful. We all win when there are choices in where we spend our dollars.

However, for my wife and I, we don't have enough dollars to consider this as a regular grocery run.

We went once and don't plan to go back.



Just a prediction (with the current economy and inflation running rampant) this place “ ain’t gonna make it.

[retiredguy123]

I went to Earth Fare once, and didn't see any reason to go back. I don't understand why a lot of businesses are able to survive.

[Bay Kid]

Never been there. Still waiting for a way to drive my golf cart there.

[thevillages2013]

I went to Earth Fare once, and didn't see any reason to go back. I don't understand why a lot of businesses are able to survive.

It was one and done for me too. The store is very nice and clean. The employees outnumbered the customers 2-1 . Very pricey meats and seafood. I bought a bag of onions just because I don’t want to be “that guy”.

[JSR22]

It was one and done for me too. The store is very nice and clean. The employees outnumbered the customers 2-1 . Very pricey meats and seafood. I bought a bag of onions just because I don’t want to be “that guy”.

I really like Earth Fare and I do shop there. Very good meat, fish and cheese. I also like Fresh Market and Publix.

[jimbomaybe]

Just a prediction (with the current economy and inflation running rampant) this place “ ain’t gonna make it.

Like the difference between weather and climate, is this the future or a gyration?? as one gets older you have to be more conservative in your financial planning otherwise overarching changes in the economy can force you to make larger, more difficult decisions as to what you want, what you need and what you can afford. large increases in home prices could be corrected with a recession, I remember talking to a guy about home prices just before the 2008 meltdown , he tried to tell me prices would continue to increase and not come down, he went bankrupt and lost his house..

[UpNorth]

The location is too far "North" for many Villagers to want to drive to. No golf cart access either. A location by Fresh Market or where the new Sprouts market is being built would likely have done better. Or somewhere in the newer southern areas where shopping is scarce. I've been to Earth Fare a few times. Large inventory and investment, few customers. Waiting to fold.

[pauld315]

They should have done better market research before opening that store. Villagers are too cheap for a store like that or Fresh Market. I am up in Ocala quite often and the store there is always busy. As far as location being a detriment, Miller's Ale House is always packed and they are in the same plaza.

[RPDaly]

It will all depend on their lease at this point. They freeze a whole lot of their meat and seafood so inventory is not turning over which is an indicator the business is not doing so well

[collie1228]

The parking lot is nearly empty every time I've been by there. We stopped once, bought some ribeye steaks on sale and not much else. The location was not well thought out, I believe. If closer to the middle of The Villages, it might have a chance. Where they are now, not much.

[Babubhat]

Sprouts is coming. Top notch stores. More central location

[M2inOR]

When we scouted homes back in 2019, we visited Earth Fare up in Ocala and Trader Joes and Whole Foods down in Orlando. Seemed only these stores and Fresh Market had items we were use to at our home in Oregon. Also checked out Aldi's as we knew it from our trips to Europe.

Early in 2020, the original owners of Earth Fare filed for bankruptcy. They already had a new store under construction that eventually would have joined Total Wine and Goodwill. Same basic look from the outside.

In 2021, a group of investors bought out the previous Earth Fare owners with the intent to reopen several closed stores as well as several of the stores being constructed. There was another location down near the Costco in Wesley Chapel.

We gave the new Earth Fare a try after it reopened in Lady Lake. It will take time to develop a customer base. Just not sure how deep the pockets are of the new investors. As we live south of 44, we'll only check it out when we visit Sam's. For us, the choices are better down in Clermont, Winter Park, Winter Garden, and Orlando.

[Michael G.]

I wish more businesses would use the 20/80 rule in connection with word of mouth.

[Stu from NYC]

I wish more businesses would use the 20/80 rule in connection with word of mouth.

Please explain

[Michael G.]

I wish more businesses would use the 20/80 rule in connection with word of mouth.

Please explain

It's been proven many times in the retail business that 20% of people that like
the business will post on social media once.

80% that dislike a business will post on social media and continue to do so.

[Stu from NYC]

It's been proven many times in the retail business that 20% of people that like
the business will post on social media once.

80% that dislike a business will post on social media and continue to do so.

I can understand complaining if you had a horrible experience on social media but to do it repeatedly seems rather vindictive.

[Flyers999]

Wife and I shop Earth Fare every Wednesday. We love it. It's the only supermarket in the area with a Hot salad bar and a dining area. I like the peace and quiet while I eat lunch. Less of a crowd so less chance to catch covid.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

They have really delicious chicken salad. The price per pound is more or less the same as the price for Chicken Salad Chicks, but Earth Fare's is rotisserie chicken in small chunks while CSC is - not sure what, finely minced. I also like the mayo EF uses more.

In addition when you get a pound of deli salad at EF, you also get a REALLY awesome fresh long baguette at no extra charge. So you have bread to put the salad on and make some sandwiches with it (makes decent garlic bread too).

Was disappointed with their cheeses, they were not just overpriced, but they got moldy too fast. Even the parmesano reggiano started getting moldy within a week, and that stuff should last over a month.

The tomatoes are terrific and they're usually priced lower than any of the supermarkets.

I won't buy their beef - grass-fed/grass-finished is nasty, while grass-fed/grain-finished is worth paying extra for, and they don't carry that.

Their fish selection is pretty good though and they often have decent sales.

[thevillages2013]

Wife and I shop Earth Fare every Wednesday. We love it. It's the only supermarket in the area with a Hot salad bar and a dining area. I like the peace and quiet while I eat lunch. Less of a crowd so less chance to catch covid.

Glad you enjoy it. I have to ask why Wednesday?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Wife and I shop Earth Fare every Wednesday. We love it. It's the only supermarket in the area with a Hot salad bar and a dining area. I like the peace and quiet while I eat lunch. Less of a crowd so less chance to catch covid.

Some of the Publix stores have a dining area and a hot foods area at the deli. It's not a self-serve, but they have great chicken tenders (they're actually enormous chunks of chicken breast). If you get their potato wedges fresh out of the fryer they're also really delicious. The gouda mac & cheese is yummy as well, though some might consider it a bit on the salty side. They often have barbequed shredded pork, creamed spinach, sweet potato fries, some kind of rice I think - and a few other varieties of things.

[inda50]

I like EF, their chicken cooked or uncooked is great, the bread is store baked bread is the best i"ve found in the area. The meats while expensive compared to Sams, is top notch.

Hope it makes it.

[thelegges]

We shopped at Earth Fare for years. Here we go on Tuesday when their sale of chicken breast and ground round is the same price as Fresh Market. Earth Fare is busy on Tuesday.

They have always had vacuumed packed single serve chicken, salmon, in that comes frozen, with different marinades. These are not leftover items from the fresh meat department. If you are new to Earth Fare you wouldn’t have any idea, that the special freezer items is a staple for them, not unsold meat from the counter
Prices are usually three dollars, Plus you can take either the chicken that’s marinated or the salmon since it’s vacuum packed and put it in your sous vide and have a perfect entrée every time with zero effort.

I keep a variety in the freezer so I can thaw and throw on the grill, no waste since is 6 to 8oz.

There everything muffins are excellent. Saturday usually has NY strip for under $11 a pound.

[MandoMan]

Just a prediction (with the current economy and inflation running rampant) this place “ ain’t gonna make it.

Yesterday at 2 pm Earth Fare had ten cars ten cars parked in its lot, some of which might have been employee cars. I was visiting Total Wine, next door, which had about four times that many. I buy groceries mostly at the Winn Dixie at Lake Sumter Landing, where most of the customers live in The Villages. It is less busy than most, because of its location, but it would still have fifty cars on a weekday at 2. I wish Earth Fare success, though.

[Eg_cruz]

Just a prediction (with the current economy and inflation running rampant) this place “ ain’t gonna make it.
Have to pick and choose what you buy there…..good fish prices

[MidWestIA]

I thought it would be a better fresh market but it wasn't that special - I am waiting for Sprouts they were great in Texas

[Flyers999]

Some of the Publix stores have a dining area and a hot foods area at the deli. It's not a self-serve, but they have great chicken tenders (they're actually enormous chunks of chicken breast). If you get their potato wedges fresh out of the fryer they're also really delicious. The gouda mac & cheese is yummy as well, though some might consider it a bit on the salty side. They often have barbequed shredded pork, creamed spinach, sweet potato fries, some kind of rice I think - and a few other varieties of things.

Which Publix has a dining area? I believe most of them have salad bars but I've never seen one with tables.

[Flyers999]

Glad you enjoy it. I have to ask why Wednesday?

Not because of sales or anything like that. (I believe Monday is when they have senior day and Thursday is sometimes 20% off. ) Wednesday happens to be the day that my wife and I don't have golf, tennis, yoga, clubs etc. It's the one day we can have lunch together. I hope it's successful. But, if I were a betting man I wouldn't put much on it lasting very long, as someone mentioned, there's more workers than shoppers.
In the meantime, I get a nice lunch, plenty of parking, no lines, once a week. Good to hear that Tuesdays are busier.

[retiredguy123]

Which Publix has a dining area? I believe most of them have salad bars but I've never seen one with tables.
The Publix on Rt 466A in Wildwood has an upstairs dining area, but you need to take the food up there.

[msilagy]

If people can shop at PUBLIX for other than bogo items they'll shop at Earth Fare

[Kthack]

If no hormones, no antibiotics, grass fed and humanly processed meats are important to you, then Earth Fare is the store to buy them.

[Fastskiguy]

From the south villages it's 1/2 hour drive each way so, as much as we like the store and quality food, it's not a regular thing. When we make the trip up north once in awhile we always go there.

With a zillion new homes down south and virtually no services outside of a publix and 2-3 restaurants.....I don't understand why a business would choose to locate up in the crowded north where there is a tremendous need down south.

Joe

[Waltdisney4life]

One and done! Never to return!

[Aloha]

Perhaps if you are trying to lower the amount of inheritance left for your family to fight over, Earth Fare may be a wise choice.

[MrChipster]

Was disappointed with their cheeses, they were not just overpriced, but they got moldy too fast. Even the parmesano reggiano started getting moldy within a week, and that stuff should last over a month.


Sounds like you have your cheeses in a high humidity area of your fridge

[Fastskiguy]

Perhaps if you are trying to lower the amount of inheritance left for your family to fight over, Earth Fare may be a wise choice.

There have been a few comments like this....is the consensus that it's expensive for what it is or it's expensive because they carry higher quality foods?

I can only speak for myself but I don't mind paying a premium now and then for premium products and I feel EF delivers the quality.

Joe

[goldie n]

Just a prediction (with the current economy and inflation running rampant) this place “ ain’t gonna make it.
I love Earth Fare. If you sign up for their emails you get coupons quite often for $10 off a $50 order. Sun and Mon is Sr and Military discount days at 5%. Occasionally they have 20% off everything day. They have daily specials like Tuesdays $3.99 # ground chuck. I prefer organic produce and they have the best assortment for that. Don't miss their bulk foods at big savings and bulk spices (hidden near the wines). Bring your own gallon jug for pure water at 39 cents a gallon! Alkaline is 98 cents (try $4 a gallon elsewhere). There are big savings if you know how to shop there. Hot and cold buffets, great deli and a nice place to sit and eat. $6 for hot dinner from 4 to 6pm daily. Lots of gluten free options and special diet foods. They also have a loyalty program.

[westernrider75]

Magnolia Plaza has dining area

[thevillages2013]

From the south villages it's 1/2 hour drive each way so, as much as we like the store and quality food, it's not a regular thing. When we make the trip up north once in awhile we always go there.

With a zillion new homes down south and virtually no services outside of a publix and 2-3 restaurants.....I don't understand why a business would choose to locate up in the crowded north where there is a tremendous need down south.

Joe
Excellent point on the store location

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Sounds like you have your cheeses in a high humidity area of your fridge

No more than any other cheeses in my fridge. The ones from Earth Fare were the only ones I had this trouble with. It was very strange. But they were also terrific about refunding me when I brought the moldy parm back. If it was just a couple or three bucks I wouldn't have bothered, but at almost $20/pound, it goes back to the store if it gets moldy within the first week of purchase.

[Love2Swim]

They should have done better market research before opening that store. Villagers are too cheap for a store like that or Fresh Market. I am up in Ocala quite often and the store there is always busy. As far as location being a detriment, Miller's Ale House is always packed and they are in the same plaza.

Fresh Market seems to do extremely well.

[thevillages2013]

Fresh Market seems to do extremely well.

They do very well and the location has something to do with that. Sprouts is coming soon right down the road so we will see how well they do then

[Fun in the sun 2]

For people with dietary restrictions, Earth Fare is a Godsend. Other stores say, if you ask for it, they might be able to get it. But Earth Fare has what I need. I like the healthy options. They have a list of ingredients on the “Boot List”. The products they sell do not have the, as of now, 125+ Ingredients they say are unhealthy, in them. The store is clean and the staff is very helpful and friendly. I appreciate your feelings on various topics, but talking negatively about stores and discussing their demise, is not helpful. It is the only store that I can buy bread, crackers, and cookies that I can eat. We buy all kinds of food that we need. When traveling, we visit Earth Fare stores in Charlotte and Williamsburg. It is great to have options for everyone!

[Heartnsoul]

I went other day because I do like healthy organic food but the prices pushed me right back out the door unfortunately. Maybe sprouts will be better

[thelegges]

I went other day because I do like healthy organic food but the prices pushed me right back out the door unfortunately. Maybe sprouts will be better

Organic, no additives or preservatives and discount prices, will never be in the norm.
I’m guessing many people haven’t been to a sprouts. You’re gonna find their prices are just as equal to any other store that carries organic food. It’s definitely not a Whole Food.
Fresh Market carries minimal no additives or preservatives, but does have a nice sushi maker.

If the prices at Earth fare or a little over the top four most, you’re not gonna be any happier with sprouts.

Sprouts in Winter Park prices were close if not slightly higher as Earth fare. The reason why I stopped is they do carry cold brew coffee beans and sometimes hard to find. Plus on sale for nine dollars a pound, compared to regular cost of about $18 a pound. Most of the fruit price were the same, ground round and chicken breast were $1 more per pound, than Tuesday at Earth Fare, or Fresh Market.

For those who routinely shop organic, they know the prices to be higher than walking into any Publix Winn-Dixie or Walmart, who have limited organic or no preservatives.
If you have always shopped for healthier food, you will never be sticker shocked

[thevillages2013]

So you people are how old? Retirement age so average of 70ish. So when you grew up and basically your whole life there wasn’t ORGANIC anything in the grocery stores but now you are stuck on organic this and that (even if you are being sold a bill of goods) . I eat veggies and salads every day but trying to figure out if something is “organic “ for 50-100% more cost is ludicrous. If it hasn’t killed me yet I “ain’t changing “

[Fun in the sun 2]

I try to learn something new every day. As we have aged, there is more information out there about the chemicals in our food. Have you heard advertisements about the chemical product Monsanto’s Roundup (now owned by Bayer) and the link with non-Hodgkins lymphoma? Also about Monsanto genetically modifying corn, soy, and other foods to resist glyphosate in Roundup? In the early 80’s, I realized that my daughter was getting sick from the sulphites on grapes when they first started treating grapes so they would last longer. She had no problems with grapes that had not yet been treated with sulphites. That’s just a beginning as to why I try to buy some organic products.

[RPDaly]

So you people are how old? Retirement age so average of 70ish. So when you grew up and basically your whole life there wasn’t ORGANIC anything in the grocery stores but now you are stuck on organic this and that (even if you are being sold a bill of goods) . I eat veggies and salads every day but trying to figure out if something is “organic “ for 50-100% more cost is ludicrous. If it hasn’t killed me yet I “ain’t changing “

I agree. Why change now. Damage was done in our youth eating all the foods with nasty additives during the 60's and into the 70's. Organic is arguably the right way to go but for today's younger generations. You need to start out organic early on.

[thelegges]

I agree. Why change now. Damage was done in our youth eating all the foods with nasty additives during the 60's and into the 70's. Organic is arguably the right way to go but for today's younger generations. You need to start out organic early on.

I think you would be surprised at how many have been eating organic their entire lives. Until I was 30, our eggs, chickens came from the small barn in my grans backyard.
All of our fruit and vegetables came from small 2 acre garden. Milk cream, butter and cheese came from the next block. We were in small community outside of a city.

Our home Up north within 5 miles, I can get eggs, vegetables, and the dairy farm is just down the street. Our meat is a hindquarter that was raised from a calf.

Once we came TV it took me a while to seek out better products than the stuff on Publix or Winn-Dixie‘s shelves. Meaning I drive to Gainesville for groceries. I still grow vegetables, or shop at a farmers market. Buy meat, and eggs from a farm,
Dairy comes from a small farm that Earth Fare sells.

Point is starting to eat organic at 70 May improve your life, but if your budget doesn’t afford that lifestyle, don’t. I don’t believe a smoker need to stop at 70 either. Damage is done, enjoy what life you have left.

[Lindsyburnsy]

If the US doesn't make it, then there is no other country that will either. We seem to think we are the only people affected by inflation, COVID, supply chain issues, Putin's invasion in Ukraine. Take a glance at the other countries; we are all in the same boat.

[thevillages2013]

I think you would be surprised at how many have been eating organic their entire lives. Until I was 30, our eggs, chickens came from the small barn in my grans backyard.
All of our fruit and vegetables came from small 2 acre garden. Milk cream, butter and cheese came from the next block. We were in small community outside of a city.

Our home Up north within 5 miles, I can get eggs, vegetables, and the dairy farm is just down the street. Our meat is a hindquarter that was raised from a calf.

Once we came TV it took me a while to seek out better products than the stuff on Publix or Winn-Dixie‘s shelves. Meaning I drive to Gainesville for groceries. I still grow vegetables, or shop at a farmers market. Buy meat, and eggs from a farm,
Dairy comes from a small farm that Earth Fare sells.

Point is starting to eat organic at 70 May improve your life, but if your budget doesn’t afford that lifestyle, don’t. I don’t believe a smoker need to stop at 70 either. Damage is done, enjoy what life you have left.

With all due respect you are in a very small minority. I wish I had that healthy eating track record. How about when you eat out though??