NOTE: This review is based on my visit on December 16th, 2017.
This used to be one of my favorite Kroger stores, and with it being close to my home, I'll continue to use it. But more and more, with each visit, I'm reminded of why I hate grocery shopping and why such services as ClickIt or Shipt are so popular. It saves the customer from Dante's 9 circles of Hell, but whereas Dante had Virgil as his guide, I had only what little remained of my sanity after over an hour of shopping for very few items but a lot of wandering.
I've shopped this Kroger since before its' super store days. I was excited when - during the last major remodel - they expanded the deli and bakery and Kosher sections, adding a sushi station as well as a cheese shop. I was thrilled they were taking natural products more seriously, giving them their own refrigeration units and shelf space. It made it easier for those shopping natural and/or organic only. And if the only dairy I needed was a dozen eggs, I could grab them up there and not have to trudge back to the official dairy area.
That's changed. I haven't been there in a few months, preferring to use Shipt and Amazon Pantry, but the sales were too tempting. I arrived at 8 am - still very few shoppers which I prefer because I hate shopping anyway. And I left well after 9 am after shopping for roughly 20 dedicated items all from specific but basic areas: produce, meats, dairy, frozen.
The natural area is now kitchen gadgets and such. I unexpectedly found yogurt in a new aisle more center of the store instead of along the back wall in dairy (the selection felt sparse brand-wise). I looked for canned black eye peas (for this upcoming New Years) with the other beans such as pinto...and found them neatly stacked with baked beans. The natural breakfast burritos I found crammed into freezer shelves with the regular ones. The natural products I did run across are now mixed in with regular items, and I was told by a friend just today that her Kroger has done the same. If true, this is frustrating for those seeking natural or organic (I purchase if the price is right) because instead of a few items to sort thru, you're dealing with dozens of brands.
As large as the store is, once you maneuver the outer edges of produce/cheese/deli/meats it feels almost claustrophobic. Add yourself, a couple of other shoppers, a stock person and maybe a Click It shopper and an aisle seems to close in on you. While the signage is clear and readable, I think the frustration lies in yet another do-over. You go to where something used to be, only to find that aisle is elsewhere. I gave up on a couple of things on my list; I was tired of wandering. I also noted that per signage, there are roughly 58 aisles! I doubt I'll ever see them all!
I'll give this Kroger credit. I like the butcher counter (similar to Lucky's) where meats and seafoods can be weighed out. The deli has a wide selection from Kosher to Italian to American cuisine. The fried chicken is a delight. The sushi I've bought in the past is always fresh. I love the cheese shop. And it's a pleasure that I'm seeing cuts of meat such as oxtail, as well as lamb chops and lamb shanks (other than at Easter). It moves them into the 21st century and gives a customer a choice in expanding beyond the usual.
It's nice to find something like oxtails without going to a specialty store. But is it worth it when you can't make a quick trip in this Kroger because you need a GPS or a map to find everything on your list?
At least I wasn't alone. There were a lot of lost looking people, mumbling to themselves - as was I - such things as "Well it used to be here." Age, gender, race - it didn't matter.
I'm sure I'll return, and will be ready for the adventure. My fear? They'll readjust the aisles yet again, leaving me to drop to my knees while screaming Darth Vader's notorious "Noooooooooooooooooooo!" read more