Okay, so... In a pinch, one might say: "Any port in a storm." This place is open 24/7, which is a plus. It is directly across the street from the Bus Station and the event center, which is both good and bad. Pro: Lots of traffic and somewhat safe than in a let active part of town. Con: Lots of people who might otherwise be looking for things other than groceries. In fact, the first time I walked into FI&L, I had to literally step over a handcuffed woman, screaming at the arresting police officers. Her tantrums provided a fun-filled several minutes of browsing until she was taken to jail. After that, my several subsequent visits have been marked by nothing more dramatic than the owners arguing amongst themselves about the cash register paper.
My first time there, I noticed, aside from the human on the floor, amazingly discounted prices on Triscuits and Kellogs cereals. Other items were in keeping with smaller venue marketing, such as $4.99 for a can of SPAM, which goes for less than that at major markets. Still, there was enough of a variety to enjoy, at the very least, some decent snacking. The store carries some fresh produce and, of course, a lot of alcoholic beverages, which is most likely the biggest draw in this section of town.
I made my purchases and went on my way. Once home, I noticed two missing items. I immediately phoned the store and told the clerk, who replied that he remembered me - this was all of 10 minutes earlier - and that he had the two items on the counter, but had not rung them up. Odd, indeed. One look at my receipt showed that indeed, he had not included those items on my bill. Subsequent visits have been calmer and not as dramatic. However, the quirky nature of a foreign-owned customer service-intensive business makes for interesting interactions. Such as buying an item on special, for $1.99 and seeing the clerk ring it up for half that price without saying so. If I knew I were getting a 50% discount, I would have purchased more. The same clerk, a young man, makes no small talk whatsoever, not even hello, while the older folks, presumably the owners, are more voluble and friendly, if a bit confused when asked about pricing.
Lastly, two items: Some of the discounted 'specials' are grossly out of date. Special K cereal's date stamp show July of last year, a full 7 months gone, while some discounted items are from Christmas and even last Hallowe'en! And... do not use plastic here. There is always a surcharge for using a card instead of cash, and it can add up over time. Save your pennies and use them here. Better yet, come here only in an emergency. And always check the dates. read more