[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I think everyone agrees that it is a business decision. But it seems like a bad decision to open in an area that is saturated with grocery stores. If I were opening a Burger King, I would not want to open it near a McDonald’s. Instead I would open it in an area where there were no fast food stores!!

Imagine how successful they would be if they ran all their ideas through the experts in the Villages rather than continuing the way they have done things in the past.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by LuvtheVillages

When we visit family in Iowa, we use Hy-Vee. It's a wonderful store, but they are not in this part of the country.

Agreed.

I think Hy-Vee originated in Iowa but they grew swiftly. They're a success wherever they put in a store because they're not only dedicated to quality but to choice: if they don't have something they'll order it for you. Their newer stores seem to want to make shopping an "experience" rather than just a chore; there are Starbuck's shops, buffet dining and other amenities on-site.

They are very consumer-oriented and their customer service is second to none. I make a lot of sausage, or did when I was in Minnesota. Polish sausage demands a lot of pork fat in the recipe and it is practically impossible to buy pork with enough fat. I talked to the butcher at our local Hy-Vee. He said that they didn't sell it but what he would save up the trimmings for me. He asked me to come back in a couple of days. I did, and he handed me a little over ten pounds of pork fat. No charge.

The Hy-Vee we shopped at in Southern MN had a quirky thing where out of the blue, for no discernable reason, something would go on sale at a ridiculously low price. Cabbage for 13 cents a pound, for example. Hamburger for 99 cents a pound (limit 3 lbs per customer). Buy two steaks and get a 5 lb. bag of potatoes for free. Things like that. You never knew what would go on sale, or when, and the sales themselves seemed to last only a couple of hours, but it was fun when it happened.

I'd like to see them down here. They do it right.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Agreed.

I think Hy-Vee originated in Iowa but they grew swiftly. They're a success wherever they put in a store because they're not only dedicated to quality but to choice: if they don't have something they'll order it for you. Their newer stores seem to want to make shopping an "experience" rather than just a chore; there are Starbuck's shops, buffet dining and other amenities on-site.

They are very consumer-oriented and their customer service is second to none. I make a lot of sausage, or did when I was in Minnesota. Polish sausage demands a lot of pork fat in the recipe and it is practically impossible to buy pork with enough fat. I talked to the butcher at our local Hy-Vee. He said that they didn't sell it but what he would save up the trimmings for me. He asked me to come back in a couple of days. I did, and he handed me a little over ten pounds of pork fat. No charge.

The Hy-Vee we shopped at in Southern MN had a quirky thing where out of the blue, for no discernable reason, something would go on sale at a ridiculously low price. Cabbage for 13 cents a pound, for example. Hamburger for 99 cents a pound (limit 3 lbs per customer). Buy two steaks and get a 5 lb. bag of potatoes for free. Things like that. You never knew what would go on sale, or when, and the sales themselves seemed to last only a couple of hours, but it was fun when it happened.

I'd like to see them down here. They do it right.

Sounds like a great store

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by Garywt

Market Basket is a Massachusetts/New England store, Sprouts is building or has built in The Villages. Publix and Wegmans have an agreement to stay out of each other’s territory. I am not a fan of Wegmans.

Sprouts is building on 466 and Buena Vista the planned opening is January 2023.Publix and Wegmans are located in North Carolina and Virginia. I am a huge fan of Wegmans. I would be delighted if they came here.

[petiteone]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Tap the brakes on being excited about a WInn Dixie, Publix hands down blows them away. We only use WD for stuff like some milk or eggs in a pinch.

I have learned to love Publix and think it is almost as good as my fav Wegmans. There was a group of corporate guys interviewing Publix shoppers a number of years ago and I complained that they didn't have a brand of Yogurt I like. I told them Wegmans carries it, and the head of the group came over to me and asked me more questions. They now carry it! Wegmans is hard to beat.

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by petiteone

I have learned to love Publix and think it is almost as good as my fav Wegmans. There was a group of corporate guys interviewing Publix shoppers a number of years ago and I complained that they didn't have a brand of Yogurt I like. I told them Wegmans carries it, and the head of the group came over to me and asked me more questions. They now carry it! Wegmans is hard to beat.

I do miss Wegmans. Especially the cheese dept, fish counter and butcher.

[richdell]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Agreed.

I think Hy-Vee originated in Iowa but they grew swiftly. They're a success wherever they put in a store because they're not only dedicated to quality but to choice: if they don't have something they'll order it for you. Their newer stores seem to want to make shopping an "experience" rather than just a chore; there are Starbuck's shops, buffet dining and other amenities on-site.

They are very consumer-oriented and their customer service is second to none. I make a lot of sausage, or did when I was in Minnesota. Polish sausage demands a lot of pork fat in the recipe and it is practically impossible to buy pork with enough fat. I talked to the butcher at our local Hy-Vee. He said that they didn't sell it but what he would save up the trimmings for me. He asked me to come back in a couple of days. I did, and he handed me a little over ten pounds of pork fat. No charge.

The Hy-Vee we shopped at in Southern MN had a quirky thing where out of the blue, for no discernable reason, something would go on sale at a ridiculously low price. Cabbage for 13 cents a pound, for example. Hamburger for 99 cents a pound (limit 3 lbs per customer). Buy two steaks and get a 5 lb. bag of potatoes for free. Things like that. You never knew what would go on sale, or when, and the sales themselves seemed to last only a couple of hours, but it was fun when it happened.

I'd like to see them down here. They do it right.

We shopped at Hy-Vee all the time when we lived in the Kansas City area. Great store.

[laryb]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

In 2021, USA Today picked the following stores as the top 10 supermarkets.

I have not heard of many of them. Any people have experience with some of the obscure ones??

The Fresh Market
Hy-Vee
Lidl
Market Basket
ALDI
Stew Leonard's
Publix
Sprouts Farmers Market
Wegmans Food Markets
Trader Joe's

I've been to Fresh Market, Market Basket, Aldi, Publix and Trader Joe's, and all are fine. For me, Market Basket is the best, and yes, I know they'll never come to Florida. It's not fancy, and it can get crowded, but their selections are huge, excellent meats, deli, produce and really low prices. Their hot food and sub dept. is awesome. If you're ever in New England, stop in and grab a sirloin tip with onion and pepper sub.

[NAB20]

Originally Posted by Mrmean58

Maybe because the new Winn Dixie location is close to the town of Fruitland Park which doesn't have a major grocery store nearby. It can serve those outside TV too. It's not always just about those on campus.

Right, Fruitland Park does not have a large grocery store and there was a recent announcement of a very large apartment complex of over 500 units being built where the closed barbecue restaurant on 466A now stands. WD is looking toward the future.

[KimmieK]

Originally Posted by JSR22

Sprouts is building on 44 and the the planned opening is January 2023.Publix and Wegmans are located in North Carolina and Virginia. I am a huge fan of Wegmans. I would be delighted if they came here.

Sprouts is being built on 466 and Buena Vista.

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by KimmieK

Sprouts is being built on 466 and Buena Vista.

Sprouts is being built on 466 and Buena Vista. I corrected my post. The building is going up quickly.

[asianthree]

So new Winn Dixie will not be on developer property?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by asianthree

So new Winn Dixie will not be on developer property?

No. It will be on the northeast corner of the intersection of Micro Racetrack Rd and Rt. 466A (Miller Blvd).

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by JSR22

I do miss Wegmans. Especially the cheese dept, fish counter and butcher.

In my opinion, nothing in The Villages compares to a Wegmans.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by asianthree

So new Winn Dixie will not be on developer property?

Are any supermarkets on developer property? Low margin business has to be careful on rents