NOTE: This was originally intended for the Oldtown location but it applies to several stores in any…read morecase.
This is absolutely my go-to grocery store! If you are looking for daily good prices on your typical staples in general, they will deliver. I consider them the middle class of stores. Not super fancy and pricy as Fred Meyer and not cheap and questionable as Wal-Mart. (Ya, I said it.) Their sales are phenominal, strangely enough in fact, I get excited each week for their ad to see what's on sale next! You don't even have to wait for or find a printed ad, if you sign up for emails each week you get a link to view ads online either in text only format or viewing the actual sales pages. As a bonus, there is a super coupon for weekends just for subscribers.
They are locally owned/managed so I LOVE that. In fact, they support many of our local producers as well, for example, Meyer and Woods meats, Laclede berries, raw cow milk (can't remember the farm name), and I'm sure several others. The employees always seem to be much more available/helpful. There are several locations for convenience, each a tad different but not so much you don't feel unfamiliar. In my opinion, A good store is one where you feel comfortable purchasing both meat and fruit and like the quality of both!
They have loads of services people often overlook too such as: 5 gallon water filling, kombucha filling, growler filling, a fresh bread baking machine (Sandpoint), movie rentals, PO services, coin counter machines, lottery ticket machines, fuel (Oldtown), floral department, deli, dry ice sales, bait (?), and many other things I'm sure I'm forgetting. Although, I do not see a place where they list these on their website for each location so best to call ahead.
Oddly enough, at this time anyhow, I really can't think of anything that stands out to be improved other than a more informative website...and that says something!
EDIT: OK, OK, I did find a couple of small things. I wouldn't mention it if it were just a one time thing but these two things happened yesterday. This is for the OLDTOWN location. When you are purchasing fruit or produce, be sure to double check your receipt. Preferably, try to catch it as they ring up...but when you are by yourself unloading onto the belt and they are pretty much finished ringing up by the time you are done unloading, it's nearly impossible.
Often I find that, especially when something organic is listed on sale, the register rings up full price. I almost overpaid $2 on strawberries. A small pittance for some, yes, but possibly that rare treat of a candy bar for others.
The other is to watch your baggers. Don't be afraid to make a request as that may get them to think about it differently if they were not properly trained. It is much easier to haul bags that have a few canned food or plastic bottles in the bottom, then boxed items, then crushables on top than all of one kind in one bag. They always end up ripping. Especially 2 liter bottles of soda even when double bagged. Just ask for paper or bring your own cloth reuseable bags. Likewise, meat should be bagged separately or at the least in a separate bag within another, especially not with other produce. I try to load my items on the belt how bagging would make sense, like putting as many cold items together as possible and bag in paper. I found out they also no longer have icecream bags so just ask for paper.
This may seem petty to some but when you live in the back woods and have to deal with sloppy trips into the house during inclement weather and dogs trying to scope out your purchases...good bagging helps!
