My grocery store has closed

[Beth H]

Well, after nine + years of shopping there once a week, my Harris Teeter has closed. It actually has become a Piggly Wiggly, which I'm not thrilled about. No one else seems to understand what a big deal it is to become comfortable with another grocery store! I shopped at Publix this past week -- it's pretty good, and I have shopped there on occasion before, but I still was searching for certain brands, etc. Plus, Publix does not have a discount card like Harris Teeter's VIC. Oh well, I guess things have to change eventually. . . .Harris Teeter closed all of its stores here in Columbia, and apparently all of its Atlanta stores as well.

[GayeC]

Beth -- I have been hearing/reading about this changeover in grocery stores in Columbia. I, too, would be very disappointed if my grocery store (a BiLo) closed or changed. I have noticed ads in The State which suggest to me that Piggly Wiggly is trying to convey a more upscale image, but that seems like a major undertaking to me! Gaye

[Melman]

I understand your pain. We lost all our HT's in Greenville too. That was my favorite grocery store!!! Did you go into any of your stores in that last week or so before they closed? It was SOOO depressing!!

It only takes about 50 minutes for me to get to Gastonia (I think that's probably my closest HT), so I'll probably make "necessary" trips when I have an opportunity. In case driving to NC is a possibility for you, they post their sale pages on their website on Wednesday's.

I think I'm ALMOST out of my whiney stage though. However, I still haven't ended my self-imposed boycott of Bi-Lo...that's who bought our three stores. :mad:

[Beth H]

Yes, I actually went in the day they closed -- it was awful, like a ghost town. Supposedly Piggly Wiggly has an "upscale" store in Litchfield -- including a sushi bar. I'll believe it when I see it. It amazes me that a store like Harris Teeter could not succeed in the marketplace when a store like Piggly Wiggly is apparently thriving -- buying all the closed Harris Teeters and expanding exisiting stores here in Columbia. Maybe by carrying higher end products, Harris Teeter just didn't have a high enough profit margin.

Unfortunately, driving to Charlotte would be a bit too far for grocery shopping. I'll just have to move on, I guess, and be happy with Publix.

[Melman]

If it helps at all, Publix has been my other favorite store for years. I would pretty much shop based on who had the best sales, etc. Since I have the flexibility, it wouldn't be beyond me to go to a couple of stores in a week's time.

Publix has nice clean stores, FAST check-out lines, and friendly employees. (I've never really witnessed that at Bi-Lo...that's another reason I'm boycotting.) One of our Publix stores has just started having fresh sushi. I saw the chef making it just a couple of weeks ago. COOL! They said it was a test to see how it does in their stores and that they'll expand the service if it goes well.

By the way, I won't do my WEEKLY shopping by going to Charlotte or Gastonia...but I guess my option is there if something really interests me.