I’m also quite fond of Econofoods (which I can’t stop referring to as More 4, the way people used to call Petricka’s the Red Owl). It’s two blocks from my house, so in the morning I can run out quickly and get the half-and-half for my coffee that I stupidly forgot to buy yesterday. The only problem with Econofoods is that I always manage to stand in the slowest line. Even if it looks like the shortest, there is always a time-consuming price check or a need to change the cash register tape before my turn comes.

I have been to Cub two or three times since it opened. It’s too far away. If possible, I walk to the store, or hook the Burley up to the bike to carry larger loads of groceries. Just Food and Econofoods are close to where I live.

Regarding Penny’s post: Well said, as usual.

Just Food doesn’t meet our needs, either, but I do like the change it has caused in mainstream shopping and I like to shop for certain things at Just Food. I wonder if it is doing well financially-- we didn’t like the mercantile part of the store and thought that undertaking was pretty risky.

Cub is usually quite a bit more convenient for me, given where I live, and I find myself stopping there more and more, rather than heading over to Econo. I hope things develop in a way that prompts me to make different choices.

I’m pleased with what I’m seeing at Econofoods. I like the positioning of natural/organic brands next to the traditional brands, and I love the wider aisles.

But it is interesting to note that whether shopping at E-foods or J-foods, I always run into lots of people I know. Someone noted, some posts back, that they don’t see people they know at Cub. Are we splitting into two different business centers, two miles apart? That’s not good. In the long run, the deepest pockets will win out. Our downtown cannot become a museum.

Congratulations to Just Food and Econofoods; we’re going to support you both!

The question (for my part) is, if we cannot teach kids that their minds are uniquely vulnerable until they reach age 25, and the obvious consequence of that fact being that mind altering drugs from tobacco to heroin are a bad idea, then how can we hope to teach them the complexities of economic theory so that they can make those conscientious and conscious choices? And if the lesson from failed anti-drug campaigns is that they won’t listen to reason then we cannot expect them to be savvy consumers (aware of the total costs of buying strategies) based on apocryphal horror stories either.

See Little Johnny. See Johnny run. See Johnny buy cheap shoes at CheapieMart. See Johnny run. See the tread separate on the cheap shoes. Look out Johnny! See the train run over Johnny.

Yeah, like that will sell any better than “Reefer Madness” does. And the alternative

See Little Johnny. See Johnny run. See Johnny buy cheap shoes at CheapieMart. See Little Johnny’s attempt to maximize marginal utility in a free market lead to lower income in his backyard. See Johnny run to the polls to vote for more government intervention to repair the unintended consequences of his choice in shoes.

Yup, that’s a real pot-boiler too.

So, public discussions like this one, which can serve to raise our ability to be conscientious and conscious consumers (C3, “C-cubed”) are probably the best alternative of all. Followed up by our economic votes, we might slowly make a difference. So meet me at Jacobsen’s everyone, and we’ll put on a play about being C3!

Knudsen juice was $2.50 at JF and $3.50 at econo.
coffee same price although JF carries coffee that is roasted better and not all of the econo coffee is fair trade.
oatmeal $.89 lb bulk at JF and $2.83 at econo.

Brick Oven Bakery

I agree Just Food staff is top notch. Especially Rolly = top notch. The store is fun and I do shop there-- I’d hate to see that store go… Really, now that they are pushing “local” I like the store a lot better. Also, I like their new layout, too. Much better than the old one.

But I like the change that’s happened at my mainstream grocery store.

Produce is a different story. You get what you pay for. Some prices for produce are higher, but I find I throw away less because the quality is better at Just Food.

The staff at Just Food is top notch.

I see people from my community at Econofoods, and I don’t recognize hardly anyone who works at Cub.

Econofoods is downtown, and a vacant Econofoods would be ugly.

JustFoods has better produce but is so darn expensive-- it’s terrible.

Some things are cheaper at Econofoods-- and more expensive at Cub. Do more research.

At Econofoods they run to help you find things, and at Cub it feels like an alarm sounds if you ask for help-- or the other times they just shrug and say “I dunno, I just work here.”

Finally, I believe the lines take less time by far at Econofoods.

Right back at you, then, Bright!

1. Cub had more variety of deli meats and cheeses. They do have organic dairy and produce and several isles of organic pantry goods. I can get good exercise there and usually spend an hour per week checking out new products as I shop, never got run over yet.

2. Just Foods has good bread which the two town bakeries should make; gluten free and wheat free, and sprouted. One is a Canadian product. Just Foods should carry only nutritious foods, and throw those boxes of air and salt out the window. Go all the way organic! Also, don’t make such an effort to make people feel alright that they are not members.

3. Econofoods has variety but at too high a cost.

Cub has a lot of employees who I am sure spend some money downtown.
Wasn’t it Barbra Streisand in “Funny Girl”, amongst others who said, “Let the money flow!”

Econofoods definitely has a new layout, and I like it much better. Organic is right next to conventional, produce has been stepped up, and the store seems smooth and clean.

By the way, and because I liked it--
Jim Farrell’s
One Nation Under Goods is spectacular and is down this same road. Fascinating.

My wife Robbie got a call back from a manager asking for feedback and she evidently gave him an earful of criticisms … and he was appreciative and concurred with much of what she said. So they are trying.

Positive remarks about Econofoods: Yesterday the blueberry bin in my cart opened and blueberries spilled all over the floor. I didn’t notice until my daughter Hannah rounded the corner and said, “That’s not from you, is it?”

I went and got an employee who helped me out. Even though Blueberries were everywhere, and some were squished and being rolled around by my cart wheel, the guy WAS REALLY NICE. No yelling, just a polite “Can I get you another package of blueberries?”

I thought I would pass this along to you. I notice that Econofoods is working on the produce section (getting steadily better, always an employee there poking around, and organic selections).

Oh, and the flower shop there is great. I know, grocery store? But they wrap things so nicely, and they have a nice selection, and the lady that runs it seems to really care about everything.

My two cents.

This illustrates how crucial constant attention to customer service is. Even one unfortunate experience, no matter how out of the ordinary, can flavor a whole store impression.

I hope you will come to try us (Just Food) out again and give us the opportunity to show you our true colors. I would much rather have someone shop elsewhere because they preferred a different product mix than because of an atypical experience.

Econo has helpful employees, especially management. Their sales often beat Cub. Cub obviously has the size to have the most variety. I must admit that most of my shopping/purchasing is price-driven.

Econo ain’t bad. People often go out of their way to ask if I need help finding anything. Good point Tracy on the cost difference. Yes, I imagine they can’t buy in the scale Cub can so it makes sense if their prices get beat out.
Pharmacy folks there are also very friendly.

I do (cringe) shop at Cub sometimes. But I find the downtown locations more convenient.