Divorce

I have recently made a major, life-changing decision. 

After much serious thought, I have decided that I must do what is right for me and my family, no matter how difficult it might be, and no matter what pressures I might get from my friends, and society in general.

I have decided to change supermarkets.

Yes, that's right. After being a valued customer of the Pavilions Market for 20 years, I have decided to leave it for the Ralph's Supermarket.

It was not an easy decision. The Pavilions has been "the store" for so many years. And it's "the store" for my 'hood. I almost never shop there without running into at least one person I know. I know where everything is. I know all the employees. Big Claudia. The Lornas. Yarmulke Man.

So what happened that caused me to make this momentous decision?

Over the last year or so, I've had a growing number of problems with the place.

They stopped carrying things. And not just random hard-to-find gourmet stuff. Stuff I think a grocery store ought to have. It reached a point where I would actually have to go to the Pavilions and do a shop, then stop by the Ralphs for the two or three items the Pavilions didn't have. That one kind of soup that Jude will eat. Orzo. Fennel. The good canned tomatoes.

But I kept going back over and over. I'd come out of there cursing, swearing that I'd never return. Then two days later...I'd be back. It was like a bad relationship. I kept expecting the best. Kept thinking "this time it won't disappoint me". But over and over it let me down. I just wouldn't learn my lesson. We seemed to be in kind of a codependent relationship.

And then, just before Christmas, they stopped carrying the fat-free Coffeemate that Jimmy insists on. They had 23 different kinds of stinking non-dairy creamer - eggnog flavor, hazelnut, creme brulee - but they had decided to stop carrying the plain old fat-free kind. I stood there at the dairy case, and it finally dawned on me. I had to end this. I had to just...step away. I turned to the dairy man and said "Well. I guess it's time for me to start going to the Ralphs." And I walked out of the store, and haven't been back.

So far, so good. The Ralphs is a nice store, in an equally affluent neighborhood.  I find myself wandering around the Ralphs quite a bit, hunting for things. Yesterday, it took me about 20 minutes to locate the corn meal (made Jenni's Sausages and Peppers with Polenta - Yum!). But I'm starting to figure out where stuff is. And the employees are extremely helpful. WAY more knowledgeable than at the Pavilions.

My only Ralph's complaint is that the one I have chosen to frequent happens to be the Old Jewish People Ralphs. So...there are a whole lot of old Jewish people there, and they tend to be reeeeeaaaaalllllyyyy ssssslllllooooooowwww. I spent a tremendous amount of time saying "Excuse me, excuse me" as I try to maneuver my cart around all the old folks.

(Note: Los Angeles Ralphs stores tend to each have their own particular flavors. One popular Ralph's on the Sunset Strip is known by all as the "Rock and Roll Ralphs" because at night, the place is invaded by scads of tattooed, pierced youths, in search of relief for their munchies.)

Brilliantly, the Ralphs has better deals. It does! I've noticed a marked difference in our grocery bills. And lately, they've been having a 30% off sale on all of their booze, and if you buy 6 bottles (it can be a mix of wine and liquor) you get an extra 10% off! Can't beat that. Might as well stock up, you know what I mean? And they offer this cash rewards program, which is a nice bonus.

Their produce is better, the meat department is far better. It's conveniently located right across the street from a Trader Joe's. I have yet to have had one shopping trip during which I couldn't find everything on my list.

So why do I still keep thinking about...the Pavilions. I look at it longingly every time I drive past. "Hello Claudia the manager. Hello Korean Lorna. Hello Mexican Lorna."

But I must learn from my mistakes and move on in my new life. I must be strong. I know it's for my own good.

Comments

[Sprite's Keeper]

I have been contemplating this myself for many months. It's a hard decision though, staying with my current Publix is so easy, it's on the way home, I know each aisle like the back of my hand, but... I want some adventure. I want some good deals! I want some better organic produce than the tripe that currently rests in that department. For right now, it's only an affair, but if my Publix doesn't change, I'm leaving it.

[Jan]

I, too, have been a loyal grocery store person all of my life; moving from Texas and my loved and familiar Alberston's to Ohio and the unfamiliar (but equally plebeian) Giant Eagle was one of the hardest things I'd ever done.

But, I'll tell you, that leaving conventional grocery stores for farmers markets and the wonderful Mustard Seed Organic Market has been much easier than I ever expected. Now the only things we purchase at poor Giant Eagle, which gives us discounts on gas if we use their stations, is meat for the dog and cleaning and paper products. Ah, well...

[VandyJ]

Be strong. The longing will ease over time. Just keep in mind that you can get more for the money now. That always helps me.
We have a choice of two grocery stores in our town, and a Superwalmart. Safeway is the pricier of the options. Albertsons is middle range and Walmart is the cheap place. I refuse to buy meat and fresh produce at Walmart. So my trips consist of a stop at Walmart for the basic and snacks and a stop at Albertsons for the produce I need and what ever meat we need and what ever they have on sale. I don't like stopping more than once, but the grocery budget does.

[Andrea]

Be strong! Don't change your menu offerrings just because the Pavilions is trying to guilt you back!

[Lisa]

Oy! We could talk about this for HOURS! I generally eschew the conventional grocery stores (Ralph's, Vons, Stater Bros) for a combo of Trader Joe's, Henry's, Mother's Market (occasionally) and farm-delivered veggies. It is COMPLICATED. However -- I have shopped Pavilion's a couple of times in a pinch and they are SUPER expensive -- so I think for sure your bill will go down. And I have three Trader Joe's in my usual orbit, one being the one by "Leisure World" (a huge retirement community) so it is my least favorite, but sometimes the most convenient. Candid Camera capturing me, in my wheelchair, pushing my card through and around all the oldsters, who are absolutely convinced that they need to help me, would be hilarious.

[MamaBadger]

You've seen what has happened to me in the past few months. "Shopping" off the back of a truck! But you have to go where it makes the most sense. And sometimes convenience isn't enough. Good for you.

[tina erickson]

You totally freaked me out with that starter--I thought "this is the way I find out from her blog!" I am so relieved that it's the market you're leaving! I'm very promiscuous when it comes to markets. I've no loyalty. I’m a wanton shopper.

[E]

What about friendly Stewart? (I think that's his name) Have you discussed the break-up with him?

[Kristine]

I've switched supermarkets too. I prefer to shop at one store where I can find everything and the sizes I need too. For me it means a half hour drive to get there but it's well worth it.

[Lynn @ Curly Girl's Music World]

I am a whole-hearted Ralph's shopper - the cashback alone is worth it. But, I would also say that I do the bulk of my weekly shopping after church on Sunday just by tooling down Selma to the Trader Joe's and the Hollywood Farmer's Market. All the fresh produce and the snacky/lunch box items between the two make it a fabulous one-parking stop event. Also, I know you think it's overwhelming, but Costco is great for stocking up (liquor, especially) but their household goods and meats are amazing. I go once a month, but have everything I need.

[Peg]

Well, for some reason it wouldn't let me leave a comment on today's post. Anywho... here is my spin and it will post in the morning!
http://pegbur7.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/dreamin-again/

[Michele]

We have had to wean ourselves off the Kroger to Central Market. Much better produce, cheese and 25% off wine if I buy 18 bottles. Really? Who wouldn't? I wish with all my heart that we had a Trader Joe's. They are getting one in the Woodlands but those people are special. Sour Grapes? You bet!

Heading to Austin tomorrow...want anything?

[Deena Sherman]

When I bumped into you at Ralph's the other day, was it your inaugural visit?
Funny, I used to bump in to you at Pavillions, where I prefer shopping, but Ralph's / T.J.'s is so much closer. Russ only goes to Ralph's on Friday nights, due to the Jewish customer thing. It really is the best time to go.