[BogeyBoy]

Originally Posted by katezbox

Agree...

Also, Sweetbay is a brand of the Maine grocery chain Hannaford's. It is smaller than a Publix and a bit pricier. Good wine selection (for a grocery store) though.

k

When we first moved to Southwest Florida there were no Sweetbay's, just Kash and Karry. Then they built a brand new Sweetbay right down the road from us and started to convert the older Kash and Karry stores to Sweetbay.

I still prefer Publix but I have to agree that they have a good wine selection for their size.

[BogeyBoy]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

Went to Trader Joe's over the weekend to see what the fuss is about since I was sure that I missed something the first time.

Still don't get it. 90% of their stuff is available for less (much less in fact) at my local market (Market Basket). They have a large selection of their own cereals but that's no draw for me.

I guess I'll never understand the fascination.

Fresh Market is closer to Whole Foods in terms of style than it is Trader Joe's.

I haven't lived very close to a Trader Joe's since I left California in 1997. Back then they were a bargain, for example - 2 Buck Chuck. In California they had full liquor stores and good prices. I was single when I first started to go there and they had a good selection of food that was quick to prepare and pretty tasty.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by BogeyBoy

I haven't lived very close to a Trader Joe's since I left California in 1997. Back then they were a bargain, for example - 2 Buck Chuck. In California they had full liquor stores and good prices. I was single when I first started to go there and they had a good selection of food that was quick to prepare and pretty tasty.

I think Grocery stores are much like the pizza debate we have on TOTV from time to time. It's a very parochial thing. The one near you is always the best

I've done studies in my area betwen the 4 major chains: Stop & Shop; Hannafords (Sweetbay in TV); Shaws; and Market Basket. The results were not even close. Market Basket was 34% less than the cheapest of the others on the exact same basket of goods. Two buck chuck would normal price at Market Basket, even in today's pricing! Money-wise we will miss Market Basket when we move.

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

I think Grocery stores are much like the pizza debate we have on TOTV from time to time. It's a very parochial thing. The one near you is always the best

I've done studies in my area betwen the 4 major chains: Stop & Shop; Hannafords (Sweetbay in TV); Shaws; and Market Basket. The results were not even close. Market Basket was 34% less than the cheapest of the others on the exact same basket of goods. Two buck chuck would normal price at Market Basket, even in today's pricing! Money-wise we will miss Market Basket when we move.

Russ,

Agree with you on your pricing assessment of the grocery stores in NE...but see Trader Joe's as a supplement - much as I see Fresh Market or Whole Foods, but at a better price. When we are with the kids in Atlanta, Jim always makes a TJ's run. The Two (now Three) buck chuck is not a value to me - if want really cheap wine there are some jug wins that are less expensive. But here are the things we do purchase...

1. Their jams - especially the wild blueberry - as good as Stonewall kitchen's - at about half the price for twice as much

2. Great cheese selection at a reasonable price - comparable to Costco.

3. Flash frozen meats - excelled lamb chops

4. The granola - Jim's fave

5. Appetizer toppings - bruschetta, tapenade, etc. You can have these on hand if a party just happens to materialize. And you know how often that is at our place.

JMO...

Kate

[ricthemic]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

Went to Trader Joe's over the weekend to see what the fuss is about since I was sure that I missed something the first time.

Still don't get it. 90% of their stuff is available for less (much less in fact) at my local market (Market Basket). They have a large selection of their own cereals but that's no draw for me.

I guess I'll never understand the fascination.

Fresh Market is closer to Whole Foods in terms of style than it is Trader Joe's.

I am also from boston and cape cod... TRADER JOES is AWESOME. Extremely successful up north. Russ may not get it but believe me their stores kick (i wish i could say it) butt. I would love to see them in TV

[graciegirl]

There is nothing like the grocery chain, the Pizza and the team from one's home town.

I miss you all, but had LaRosa's pizza tonight to help me cope.

Plus, the Reds are doing great.

[chuckinca]

Two Buck Chuck (still the price in CA) will give you a spliting headache that you will never forget.

When in Trader Joe's (in Santa Rosa, CA) we buy scented handsoap, tea, dark chocolate bars, some produce, and some other items not available in Safeway. Usually don't spend more than $20 a month there.


.

[BogeyBoy]

Originally Posted by chuckinca

Two Buck Chuck (still the price in CA) will give you a spliting headache that you will never forget.



.

I think I figured this out a while ago.

Two Buck Chuck = $2.00

Decent wine = $24.00

12 bottles of Two Buck Chuck = $24.00

So I thought drinking 12 bottles of Two Buck Chuck would be the same as enjoying a nice bottle of wine.

I always had a headache the next day. Mystery solved.

[SALYBOW]

Trader Joes is like Fresh Market but much less expensive. I would love to see one here.

[Hawkwind]

Charles Shaw's Two Buck Chuck is a staple but in Ohio it is $3.79 thanks to Ohio law. Mix and match a case and you are good to go. Great stuff to have on hand for any occasion and the most critical wine drinker.

[SALYBOW]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

There is nothing like the grocery chain, the Pizza and the team from one's home town.

I miss you all, but had LaRosa's pizza tonight to help me cope.

Plus, the Reds are doing great.

Gracie,
I am so envious. I love LaRosas and Skyline.

[Tbugs]

The closest Trader Joe's is in Atlanta. That is about a 6 hour drive from The Villages. Kind of a long way to go for groceries.

In Silver Spring, Maryland, I had a Trader Joe's about 10 minutes from the house. I got a real liking to Trader Joe's Triple Shot iced coffee in a 12 oz. can. It was great on a hot summer morning while reading the newspaper (Washington Post, of course) on the back deck and watching the birds and squirrels on the deck railing eating the seeds and peanuts I put there.

However, here in The Villages, I think it is great to sit in my Florida room with sliding glass windows, drinking my coffee, reading The Daily Sun, and watching the white ibis on the golf course. The Villages wins!!!

[westcoastsunshine]

Thanks to all for the Trader Joe's info. For some
reason, it makes me happy to shop there. Plus,
I love reading their flyers. However, just being
in TV will make me happier. Fresh Market it is....
Just looked at the video on PeachWaves and the
frozen yogurt looks amazing. I can't wait to
try all the flavors.

[jblum315]

Fresh Market is more like Whole Foods.

[gego3650]

Trader Joes sells wine for $ 3 a bottle. Good wine. In California its $ 2 and known as two bucks Chucks.