This is my local Kroger, which keeps my staple and emergency/mid-week food needs met. I prefer Findlay and some specialty stores over this for specific items, but I really have nothing negative to say about this as a store for all my other, more general, needs.
As a place that attracts people (like a circus?) in the area for their shopping needs, there is a bit more I'd like to say, but it's really irrelevant to my feelings about the store overall, so suffice it to say...this place can get a bit loony and seem like it might be the destination of an 'outing' of sorts, for those not generally allowed in public unsupervised, but that's life, so I deal with it. There are some unsavory characters here at times but the silver lining is that it keeps things interesting, as long as everyone, mostly, keeps to themselves.
I largely shop the perimeter of the store since processed crap isn't high on my list of things I like to consume. The store is laid out as I've understood is typical in the industry, with your staples at all four corners so you might be tempted by that can of ravioli (shout out to the SO), Lunchables, potted meat product, or Little Debbie Snacks. I have little problem resisting those items and get my full perimeter walk in nearly every visit (bread/cheese, fruit, dairy, and then pharmacy/check out rounds out the corners).
The middle of the store is cosmetics (though some personal care products are also by the pharmacy- this has always seemed odd to me), they also carry whichever holiday is next 'stuff', furniture, and other non-food items. It's easy enough to avoid (though I think they make their margins here so someone is shopping there). Some times when the store is dead I venture down here, usually, however, there are children begging for Nerf guns with their fruit salads so I avoid it.
One thing that used to strike me as odd that 4 years later is common place, is that there is a cop routinely posted in the entrance/lobby/cart acquisition area. Among people I know, this has led to some debate about the designation of 'Kro-ghetto'.
Personally, I take the west side with a grain of salt (always) and only go where I need to go, realizing that the rest of the city might be better suited for some of my needs (preferences?). Given this as my m.o., I contend that this store is perfectly suited to grocery getting needs, and though at first a bit unnerving, the police person generally looks bored (i.e. they aren't too busy busting 'dangerous' folks). Things here are fine, safe, and fit my bill (a reasonable and close place for buying food). Do I like a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's experience more? I'd be lying if I said no. However, I like that this is where I just go to get things done in regard to my weekly shopping. The aforementioned outlets are great, but there is so much image and expectation to uphold (and added expense to boot). It can be quite unnerving, as in...'oh...you're not buying the ' super organic original cane sucrose free sugar'...that really is the better 'option'' -despite a $2 great price tag. I'm not at a place where I regularly afford that investment, for better or for worse.
Kroger is the Cincinnati grocery store for most people. This location is close to my house, largely well taken care of, and reflects my 'hood. While that might not always be as pretty and/or presentable as I'd ideally like, it's real, it's honest, and all I really need. Well done Kroger. read more