This new store on east sunshine offers a lot of choices. It is appealing at first glance for the diverse selection of available items and the nice merchandise presentations.
Unfortunately, once you get used to the appealing appearance and all the choices available to you, the obvious hits you; most of all the products are overpriced while the overall quality is similar to what you can find at other grocery stores in the areas.
Is the convenience of finding everything you need under a same roof worth the price hike? Up-to you to decide...
Some items are not widely available anywhere else, so it may justify the stiff prices, like high end wines in the private glass cellar...for similar cheaper items in this category, you will have to drive to Maccadoodles on E. Independence and some of the foreign wines might not even be available there. However, for regular and everyday mid-range wine and all beers, you'll find better bargain at the brown derby down the street at 65 freeway or even at price cutter on E battlefield. Fruit and vegetables look nice but again expensive, and once you have cooked your bellpeppers, slice your tomatoes, peeled your potatoes and seasoned your salad... the price increase doesn't seem to make more sense or any differences on your taste buds. The same for overall canned vegetables, dressings, sauces...Some foreign specialty items are interesting and may justify the price..?? Though some similar & cheaper Asian products can be found at Asian World Market on S. Campbell and Battlefield.
So what seem interesting for the price and the quality..??
The breads from the bakery, the cold cut from the Charcuterie stand, health & organic items ( cheaper than at Mama Jeans on E sunshine)... some of the meat items like fresh sausages and some of the prepapackaged prepared meals by the entrance...
What's more expensive?... baked goods and desserts and particularly the individual cakes displayed in the pastry case ( same quality but cheaper at E Battlefield Price Cutter or same price but much much better quality and tastier, at European Cafe on Park Central in downtown). While convenient, the cooked food stands are expensive. The BBQ items cooking quality doesn't justify the stiff pricing. You will find better at the BBQ stand and Bar at Price Cutter on E Battlefield. The Chinese food is good but got a $10 increase (33%, it used to be $29.99, it is now $39.99)for a 4 person meal from the Hy-vee store located on Battlefield and Kansas Expressway way. Yikes!
The whalburger cafe is all hype and simply not worth the price... good for a selfie with the brand logo but for burgers, go to Black Cheep on Sunshine down the street, same prices, much better burgers and bread buns.
Overall it could be worth the visit to see what a grocery store could look like. If you decide to actually fill-up your shopping cart there, you will need to stop at their nice bar afterward, to get a couple of drinks and forget about the grocery bill. read more