I was raised in the Belair-Edison Neighborhood for over 30 years. I'm not sure why US. Virgin…read moreIslands is stated as my location.
When you get there, you're sure to be met with security guards, some with or without bullet proof vests. There are people lingering/ loitering outside for various reasons, particularly in the summer. Some are hacking, selling "things", and waiting for people to leave the store to ask them if they need help with their groceries.
One of the reasons people will need help with their groceries is because the carts cannot exit beyond the cement pillars. So, if someone is shopping by themselves and has bags that would require more than one trip to the vehicle. They would have to leave their cart and get their vehicle or ask someone for help which can lead to a number of other issues. These options are a major safety concern particularly for women shopping alone.
Food Depot a good place to get staples and a few things when you don't have time to travel to your favorite stores.
The quality of the fish varies. I have seen fish displayed that have obviously decayed beyond an acceptable amount of time and was destined for the trash weeks prior. If you go on a good day, you can get great quality wild caught fish which is a bonus for those looking for a relatively good price. The fish mongers are the professional and knowledgeable. This department is the primary reason I go to the store.
The Hot foods section looks unappetizing and unhealthy.
I had a horrible experience with a cashier who was the only lane open for people with more than 20 items. I have vision issues beyond the need to wear glasses and I was barely able to make out on the screen that she charged me twice for onion rings; however, I only had one bag. she grabbed another bag of chips and asked me if I could see this bag (which she held in her hand) and asked me if I could see this bag up there (on the screen) I said no. She said, " that's because the other bag of chips could not scan so, I scanned the onion rings twice.
That cashier needs training, she didn't have to ask me if I saw this bag on the screen. She should have simply explained one bag couldn't scan so I scanned this one twice. That was insulting, and disability (vision) harassment. I paid and left, without the intent to return.
When you check out, you'll see vendors along the wall selling T-shirts, hats, perfumes, etc. that section makes the store look like a flea market. And, then you see the broken glass exit door, which makes you wonder what happened here. Then, the cycle begins again, people with various purposes are waiting outside.
It's a shame, food depot could be better if they had better customer service, management and removed the riff raff. This type of experiences is one, if not the only reason I spend/ grocery shop only in the county. I have been trying to spend money in urban communities, however, experiences like this make it difficult.
