I walk into the Friendly Grocer, he says, "Watch where you're going." True story. But that reminds me of the time I walked into the shop called, 'The Friendly Grocer' in Pyrmont.
First thing I saw as I walked into the shop was a television screen facing the entrance, 'Bold & the Beautiful' or 'Passions' or one of those melodramatic soap operas is playing and it's kind of disconcerting to walk in with eggs and milk on the mind and be subjected to the deaths and affairs of the beautiful people.
This particular Friendly Grocer's has an Asian angle and there are many unusual coconutty, lychee based drinks in the numerous fridges that line the western wall. The front of the shop is stock full of sweets, lollies and health care products; then as you make your way to the back of the shop, more traditional groceries can be found; the packaged and the canned.
There are a few shelves full of Asian groceries like sauces, biscuits and snack foods. Cuttle fish flavoured chips stands out to me, but I'm not anywhere near brave enough to indulge.
The store is called the friendly grocer and yet as I walk through the aisles surveying the products, not one word is said to me, not one smile thrown my way. They're not unfriendly, but to say that they are friendly is a slight overstatement. read more