Last weekend, one of the largest grocery store chains in California opened a new store in my neighborhood. Tauted to be the largest of its kind in Northern California, the offerings inside this store are impressive. In addition to standard groceries, the store offers a Pharmacy, a floral center, a nut bar, a Starbucks, and a Jamba Juice. Inside. The. Store.
The parking lot was so full on the first day of business that, after circling for a vacant spot for 20 minutes, I gave up and returned home. I went back on the second day and was able to find a parking space. I needed only a few things, so I grabbed a small shopping cart (I love them!) and ventured out into the great unknown square footage of this new super store. Since I was unfamiliar with the layout and since the number of options for each product was at least three times what I was used to seeing on the shelves, it took me much longer to get through the store than I thought it would. But I was able to find exactly what I needed, then headed to the check out counters.
Every single check out line was backed up into the aisles. Even the Express and Self-Check lines were backed up. A man standing in the self-check out line next to mine told a friend that he didn't plan to return to the store for a few weeks. At that moment, his idea appealed to me a great deal.
The county where I live does not have a Wal-Mart or K-Mart. We also don't have billboards on our freeways. These decisions, made by county politicians and citizens, are deliberate. We do have a Costco, but that requires a membership. So, this new grocery store, with a known name and reputation, will attract many. The festivities that launched this store opening its doors were exciting. And the pride and enthusiasm projected by each and every employee was palpable. As for the lack of parking spaces, that seemed to add to the excitement. It was all that grand openings in any community should be.
And on we go.
