[2BNTV]

I rented in the village of Caroline for four months, and I always went to the Sweetbay in LSL. I had no trouble finding what I needed, and found the dinners I purchased, to be more reasonably priced than Publix.

It always had people shopping, and the lines were never too long. The cashier always asked me, if I had an easy time finding what I wanted. It worked for me!!!

I have to say that I shop at Walmart, as their prices are lower than Publix.
I got to Publix more for convenience, and an occasional sale item that I would buy in bulk. (99% of the bulk items I buy, are non-perishable and I go to Sam's for those.

That place can be a zoo when they had a very good sale. I finally got a weather radio, that Sam's offered preferred customers the convenience of shopping on Sunday night. When I arrived, they were out of stock and I was informed, people were lining up in the morning, before the store opened.
Go figure?

[mulligan]

In another couple of weeks, the Sweetbays will be Winn-Dixies.

[philnpat]

Originally Posted by Whit53

Just curious, from the posts I'm getting the impression Sweetbay is not the preferred grocery store? If so, I was wondering why most prefer Publix. I'll probably find out myself when I move down next month.

We like the Publix bakery but prefer Sweetbay for everything else.

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

I disagree that the Sweetbay in LS is usually pretty empty. How would you actually know if you only go when absolutely necessary?

I stand corrected - when I go to Sweetbay at LSL is it usually pretty empty; however, I normally shop at Publix which is almost always crowded so my perception may be skewed. I will say they get a good crowd early Wednesday when the sale starts, but have found the shelves empty of advertised item early in the day. Publix is continuously stocking shelves and if an item is out you can always find an employee who will happily check in the back for you.

I shop at Publix for quality, quantity, and customer service. Just one person's opinion.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by gomoho

I stand corrected - when I go to Sweetbay at LSL is it usually pretty empty; however, I normally shop at Publix which is almost always crowded so my perception may be skewed. I will say they get a good crowd early Wednesday when the sale starts, but have found the shelves empty of advertised item early in the day. Publix is continuously stocking shelves and if an item is out you can always find an employee who will happily check in the back for you.

I shop at Publix for quality, quantity, and customer service. Just one person's opinion.

What Publix do you shop in? There have been complaints on this forum about the Publix at Colony being too small and not stocking more of each item to accommodate the winter season. Since I only go there occasionally, I wouldn't know. I stay away because the Colony parking lot is a total zoo.

As for Sweetbay in Pinellas, every time we've been in there, it's been virtually empty. We've gone maybe ten times since it opened. Right now, you can shop there at the normally busiest times for a grocery store and not be overwhelmed.

I went there with a prescription for our dog. The pharmacist told me the store is really struggling.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by CFrance

What Publix do you shop in? There have been complaints on this forum about the Publix at Colony being too small and not stocking more of each item to accommodate the winter season. Since I only go there occasionally, I wouldn't know. I stay away because the Colony parking lot is a total zoo.

As for Sweetbay in Pinellas, every time we've been in there, it's been virtually empty. We've gone maybe ten times since it opened. Right now, you can shop there at the normally busiest times for a grocery store and not be overwhelmed.

I went there with a prescription for our dog. The pharmacist told me the store is really struggling.

That was smart of the pharmacist.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

That was smart of the pharmacist.

I agree, but I may have caught him off guard. I had a prescription for a month of antibiotics for the dog, and they would only give two weeks for free. I asked him if he could give me the two weeks' worth and note one refill on the bottle (like Publix did one time), and that's when he said, "We're really struggling, and the manager doesn't want us to make exceptions or give things away." I'

He may have been referring only to the pharmacy. And I'm sure the mgr. wouldn't have been pleased to hear him say that.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I agree, but I may have caught him off guard. I had a prescription for a month of antibiotics for the dog, and they would only give two weeks for free. I asked him if he could give me the two weeks' worth and note one refill on the bottle (like Publix did one time), and that's when he said, "We're really struggling, and the manager doesn't want us to make exceptions or give things away." I'

He may have been referring only to the pharmacy. And I'm sure the mgr. wouldn't have been pleased to hear him say that.

Do you think another 1000+ homes will make a difference to their business?
Must be someone at Sweetbays that has more sense than the Pharmacist.

[billethkid]

First of all it is a new store in a "developing" neighborhood. I can remember when Publix in Colony Plaza was first opened one could go in any time of the day or evening and be relatively alone....and now shoulder to shoulder.

Not sure Sweetbay would ever be that comparably busy but it is in a new area.

Secondly the yoke around the neck that the store is a shortimer and about to be shut down is not exactly a drawing card situation.

The insanity of the whole deal was to complete the Sweetbay build out and now weeks later get ready to tear it all out to make it a Win Dixie. Must be a good story behind that waste of capital expenditure.

In my opinion Winn Dixie will do better than Sweetbay but be much less busy than Publix. Unless WD decides to take Publix head on and be competitive in ALL ASPECTS....which they normally do not.

There must also be an interesting story in the drama some where as to why Publix did not get first shot at Pinellas or if they did, why did they pass? We will only think we know if and when a new Publix store is annonced and where in the new area....somewhere.

btk

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Originally Posted by Whit53

Just curious, from the posts I'm getting the impression Sweetbay is not the preferred grocery store? If so, I was wondering why most prefer Publix. I'll probably find out myself when I move down next month.

I prefer Sweetbay's to Publix's

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Do you think another 1000+ homes will make a difference to their business?
Must be someone at Sweetbays that has more sense than the Pharmacist.

I hope so. I hope when it becomes Winn Dixie that it will not put people off. The Winn Dixie at Spanish Springs is quite nice. But people here in TV seem to have a thing for Publix. And I would too if the one at Colony weren't so small.

[gomoho]

[QUOTE=CFrance;796946]What Publix do you shop in? There have been complaints on this forum about the Publix at Colony being too small and not stocking more of each item to accommodate the winter season. Since I only go there occasionally, I wouldn't know. I stay away because the Colony parking lot is a total zoo.

I am one of the crazys cruising the parking lot at Colony looking for a parking spot. Haven't had much of a problem with empty shelves - as a matter of fact one of the things that makes me nuts is the way they are always blocking the aisles while stocking the shelves. Turnover is so fast in that store it's hard to keep on top of it.

[e-flyer]

I hate to step foot in Publix at Colony, too crowded, narrow isles, and prices are too high. I personally don't see why TV folks like it so much (maybe it's the free samples, old folks like anything free). I like Sweetbay for the wide isles, not as crowded, prices a bit less or equal to Publix. I hope Sweetbay/Winn Dixie business picks up in Pinellas so folks on the SW corner of TV have the convenience of a grocery store close by. I like Walmart and Sams for bulk shopping. As far as when Sweetbay becomes a Winn Dixie, I think they are both owned and operated by Bi-Lo, the parent company. I'd be surprised if Sweetbay looks much different after the change over, but who knows…...

[ROCKETMAN]

The main reason publix didn't build where the new sweetbay is because the developer wanted rent plus per centage of sales and corporate said to high. Instead they will build one closer to brownwood. They were going to build 2 more stores but changed their minds and will go with 2 very busy stores, especially once fruitland park is up and running. As far as shelves being empty of the bogo items, there is always a disclaimer in the add that quanities may be limited. That means they only get x number of sales items oer store and when they are gone, they hopefully willbin on the next truck. Otherwise you can always get a rain check.

[gomoho]

Rocketman - just curious what your source of information is???