An Open Letter to the Saranac Lake Grand Union
Dear sirs,
Are you nuts? Years and years ago, I stopped going grocery shopping in Saranac Lake. I always found more of what I wanted a few short miles away in Lake Placid at the fabulous Price Chopper. As people are prone to do, this became my habit and I dare say I hadn't walked into the Grand Union since. Any quick needs, we could find at Stewart's or Nori's if it was more esoteric.
That all changed yesterday when I decided perhaps I was being snobby and short-sighted by not supporting my local Grand Union. I needed just a bit to take us through yesterday and today and I needed junk food for Oscar's upcoming party.
When I entered the door, it was like I had time-warped into some bad 1970's movie. The lighting, the aisles, the lackluster staff, AND THE PRODUCTS. Awful, just awful. No selection, nothing looking remotely fresh. I had 2 different conversations with people about how awful it was while in your store. A stranger and I looked helplessly at your "gourmet cheese" display, trying to find something fresh and delicious. I helped a British tourist couple who just wanted fresh bread. I told them all their options.
Your prices are not even cheap. The bargains at Price Chopper are great. The PC check-out clerks are also nice. (mine yesterday was engaged in a conversation with her bagger about Myspace.com).
So what's the story? I am not buying it that there isn't demand for this. Between the village and all the surrounding 2nd home communities, there has to be enough to merit some investment. You are leaving money on the table.
Yours in shopping,
Bridget
8 comments:
Maybe they should turn it into a "community store"? Ha ha, just kidding.
Really is hard to believe that between those two communities, basic retail and grocery is such an issue. Is it a supply problem or a demand problem? Down here in Plattsburgh, we have too many stores.
This is mean-spirited.
Are you sure you weren't in the Tannersville Grand Union? Conditions are the same. I've been in Tannersville in the late afternoon/evening and actually had to wait while the cashier finished making out with her boyfriend! I think the lighting is so bad in the produce so that you won't see the mold on the vegetable until after you get them home.
What is gormet chese. All Tannersville carrys is days old bread.
To whom it may concern I'll remain anonymous.
I used to work at the Grand Union in downtown Saranac Lake. I'm a little confused but enlightened by your overly exaggerated and very clueless story. First off after I stopped working at the GU in downtown Saranac Lake I went and worked at Price Chopper in Lake Placid. If you stopped shopping in SL years and years ago where exactly did you go shopping? I find it rather funny that you used the term “years and years ago” and that you’ve shopped at Price Chopper ever since. Ok well that’s ironic because Price Chopper in Lake Placid has only been around for roughly 8 years at the most. I guess that’s “years and years to you.” Granted I’ll admit the GU store isn’t flattering in SL. However being that I worked there for 2 years during high school, which I still attend, I think I would know first hand what goes on. First off the produce IS fresh there, being that we have regulations just like every other store out there on produce after maybe 3 or 4 days we have to throw everything out if it doesn’t sell. Secondly the bread isn’t the stores responsibility; we don’t bake freighofers bread or any other brand at that. The bread man comes in a few times a week, he drops off the new and pick up the old. Not our responsibility. I’ve never for as long as I have lived in Saranac Lake (my whole life) including while working and not working there, have I seen stale or moldy bread and I’m sure if I did and said something to the “lackluster staff” they would take care of it immediately. Third of all at the grand union stores we don’t have “baggers” so I highly doubt that there was a conversation about myspace occurring, or any conversation occurring between cashier/bagger. Stop back in and look the bags are right after the scanner where the CASHIER can easily place product into the bag. But not my place to say I wasn’t there. I’ll also admit our prices are a little bit higher then PC but if its that big of deal to you to get that bargain, which it sounds like you need the bargain if your shopping at scummy Stewarts, I won’t even go there because I would be embarrassed to be seen with all the gross welfare out side of there. Any ways if you really need that bargain then drive the 7 miles to lake placid and waste the gas to get there. Trust me I worked in both stores and they both offer the same products with just a few less selections at GU as opposed to PC. Thanks for your time!
Hello. I like your blog. You are a good writer and likeable. But I think you should remove this post about the Grand Union. Please do.
I own a business in SL and I think the negative commments about the GU are RIGHT ON!!! (I am ashamed to send my customers there.) the New ALDI'S is is up to 1/3 the price for equal items, faster to check out, more helpful staff and they are increasing their product selection. I shop at Nori's and love the Shaheens in TL---where fresh produce, great meat and deli products are outstanding. If only GU could be like the other small local stores.
I realize this post was written several years ago but I couldn't help but chime in.
I feel exactly the same way about the Grand Unions here in town. We never buy milk or bread at either one because they are frequently spoiled BEFORE the expirations. The stores are dirty and the staff is most frequently without personality. The prices are ridiculously high but Price Chopper has raised their prices now that they have no competition there. We do the bulk of our shopping in Plattsburgh. Even with the gas it's still cheaper to shop there when you're feeding a family.
I live within walking distance to the GU and unfortunately find myself going there more than I would like to admit for last minute things. I would prefer any day Aldi's, however they are not always open when the need arises and don't always have the items I need. I feel this Blog is right on!!! The store is dimmly lit and stuck in the 70's. Produce seems to have gotten a little better as of lately, but I have purchased rice and found little meal worm type things in it and then checked the date to see the exp date was over a year past!!! Same thing with a spray wiped cream I bought for a late night Icecream sunday craving Moldy and waayyy past date. These are just a few specific issues not to mention the lack of selection and extreme pricing. Oh and yes there are baggers at GU when employees and managers are not busy else where. I do however have to defend the staff that presently works there they always see to be very nice and helpful. What we really need is another Nori's type market only on steroids and a little more affordable.
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