OT: Does Whole Foods Take Food Stamps?

[KOA]

Can anyone tell me if stores like Whole Grocer, Whole Foods, and Trader
Joe's take food stamps?

I am converting to organic now.

Thanks, and sorry for the OT post.

[mcs]

Post by KOA
Can anyone tell me if stores like Whole Grocer, Whole Foods, and Trader
Joe's take food stamps?
I am converting to organic now.
Thanks, and sorry for the OT post.
wow this guy is learning the right way. good job , now get somewhere with
clean air you won't even need food stamps.

[KOA]

Post by KOA
Can anyone tell me if stores like Whole Grocer, Whole Foods, and Trader
Joe's take food stamps?
I am converting to organic now.
Thanks, and sorry for the OT post.

And what about that store by Penn near Walnut and 40th?? Do they sell whole
foods? Is that Fresh Grocer? Do they have a parking garage, or is that only
the South Philly location?

I'm also a little disappointed: I did a search for locations for Whole Foods
and Trader Joe's, and there were none in Norristown/Phoenixville.

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by KOA

Post by KOA
Can anyone tell me if stores like Whole Grocer, Whole Foods, and Trader
Joe's take food stamps?
I am converting to organic now.
Thanks, and sorry for the OT post.

And what about that store by Penn near Walnut and 40th?? Do they sell whole
foods? Is that Fresh Grocer?

Yes, it's Fresh Grocer.

Post by KOA
Do they have a parking garage, or is that only
the South Philly location?

Yes, there's a parking garage attached to the store which is on the
ground floor.

Post by KOA
I'm also a little disappointed: I did a search for locations for Whole Foods
and Trader Joe's, and there were none in Norristown/Phoenixville.

Whole Foods and Trader Joe's tend to be where people are fairly affluent.
They're trying to attract the same people who will spend $$$$ on coffee
in Starbucks.

There's an entire school of thought that says the organics
movement is something of a rip-off especially wrt fresh vegatables...
that you're really not getting anything superior or heathier.
But you'll pay more for it.

[KOA]

Post by Karen Y Byrd

Post by KOA

Post by KOA
Can anyone tell me if stores like Whole Grocer, Whole Foods, and Trader
Joe's take food stamps?
I am converting to organic now.
Thanks, and sorry for the OT post.

And what about that store by Penn near Walnut and 40th?? Do they sell whole
foods? Is that Fresh Grocer?

Yes, it's Fresh Grocer.

Post by KOA
Do they have a parking garage, or is that only
the South Philly location?

Yes, there's a parking garage attached to the store which is on the
ground floor.

Post by KOA
I'm also a little disappointed: I did a search for locations for Whole Foods
and Trader Joe's, and there were none in Norristown/Phoenixville.

Whole Foods and Trader Joe's tend to be where people are fairly affluent.
They're trying to attract the same people who will spend $$$$ on coffee
in Starbucks.
There's an entire school of thought that says the organics
movement is something of a rip-off especially wrt fresh vegatables...
that you're really not getting anything superior or heathier.
But you'll pay more for it.

Thanks for the warning!

I bought 100% organic Ragu spaghetti sauce at Giant the other day, and
compared it with their regular, non-organic varieties, and the organic
tasted sooooooo much better and fresher. So I thought I would convert to
organic. I've already converted to a vegan, with much success so far. :)

KOA

[aeacsharp]

Post by KOA

Post by Karen Y Byrd

Post by KOA

Post by KOA
Can anyone tell me if stores like Whole Grocer, Whole Foods, and Trader
Joe's take food stamps?
I am converting to organic now.
Thanks, and sorry for the OT post.

And what about that store by Penn near Walnut and 40th?? Do they sell whole
foods? Is that Fresh Grocer?

Yes, it's Fresh Grocer.

Post by KOA
Do they have a parking garage, or is that only
the South Philly location?

Yes, there's a parking garage attached to the store which is on the
ground floor.

Post by KOA
I'm also a little disappointed: I did a search for locations for Whole Foods
and Trader Joe's, and there were none in Norristown/Phoenixville.

Whole Foods and Trader Joe's tend to be where people are fairly affluent.
They're trying to attract the same people who will spend $$$$ on coffee
in Starbucks.
There's an entire school of thought that says the organics
movement is something of a rip-off especially wrt fresh vegatables...
that you're really not getting anything superior or heathier.
But you'll pay more for it.

Thanks for the warning!
I bought 100% organic Ragu spaghetti sauce at Giant the other day, and
compared it with their regular, non-organic varieties, and the organic
tasted sooooooo much better and fresher. So I thought I would convert to
organic. I've already converted to a vegan, with much success so far. :)
KOA

i would convert, too, if I thought I could achieve "success" as well.
What are your criteria for judging this success?

[KOA]

Post by aeacsharp

Post by KOA

Post by Karen Y Byrd

Post by KOA

Post by KOA
Can anyone tell me if stores like Whole Grocer, Whole Foods, and Trader
Joe's take food stamps?
I am converting to organic now.
Thanks, and sorry for the OT post.

And what about that store by Penn near Walnut and 40th?? Do they sell whole
foods? Is that Fresh Grocer?

Yes, it's Fresh Grocer.

Post by KOA
Do they have a parking garage, or is that only
the South Philly location?

Yes, there's a parking garage attached to the store which is on the
ground floor.

Post by KOA
I'm also a little disappointed: I did a search for locations for Whole Foods
and Trader Joe's, and there were none in Norristown/Phoenixville.

Whole Foods and Trader Joe's tend to be where people are fairly affluent.
They're trying to attract the same people who will spend $$$$ on coffee
in Starbucks.
There's an entire school of thought that says the organics
movement is something of a rip-off especially wrt fresh vegatables...
that you're really not getting anything superior or heathier.
But you'll pay more for it.

Thanks for the warning!
I bought 100% organic Ragu spaghetti sauce at Giant the other day, and
compared it with their regular, non-organic varieties, and the organic
tasted sooooooo much better and fresher. So I thought I would convert to
organic. I've already converted to a vegan, with much success so far. :)
KOA

i would convert, too, if I thought I could achieve "success" as well.
What are your criteria for judging this success?

Good question!

I guess if you feel good about yourself, have a good overall mood, feel
satisfied after eating, and can have a healthy and varied diet that is
tasteful, then why not? It's healthier, less cruel to animals, and you live
longer and have less diseases, such as colon cancer. Your cholesterol will
improve. I haven't had meat, chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, or milk since mid
November! I exercise every day (both cardio and free weights), and have lost
a ton of weight so far. :) I occasionally worried I would miss meat, but
that has not been the case. Once in a while I am tempted by al the TV
commercials for restaurants and various foods, but you just have to fight
those feelings off, and know you are better for not eating that!

Good luck with this!

[mcs]

Post by KOA

Post by Karen Y Byrd

Post by KOA

Post by KOA
Can anyone tell me if stores like Whole Grocer, Whole Foods, and Trader
Joe's take food stamps?
I am converting to organic now.
Thanks, and sorry for the OT post.

And what about that store by Penn near Walnut and 40th?? Do they sell whole
foods? Is that Fresh Grocer?

Yes, it's Fresh Grocer.

Post by KOA
Do they have a parking garage, or is that only
the South Philly location?

Yes, there's a parking garage attached to the store which is on the
ground floor.

Post by KOA
I'm also a little disappointed: I did a search for locations for Whole Foods
and Trader Joe's, and there were none in Norristown/Phoenixville.

Whole Foods and Trader Joe's tend to be where people are fairly affluent.
They're trying to attract the same people who will spend $$$$ on coffee
in Starbucks.
There's an entire school of thought that says the organics
movement is something of a rip-off especially wrt fresh vegatables...
that you're really not getting anything superior or heathier.
But you'll pay more for it.

Thanks for the warning!
I bought 100% organic Ragu spaghetti sauce at Giant the other day, and
compared it with their regular, non-organic varieties, and the organic
tasted sooooooo much better and fresher. So I thought I would convert to
organic. I've already converted to a vegan, with much success so far. :)
KOA
I hope your rich or not hungry

[Matthew Russotto]

Post by KOA
I'm also a little disappointed: I did a search for locations for Whole Foods
and Trader Joe's, and there were none in Norristown/Phoenixville.

There's a Trader Joe's in Gateway Shopping Center south of
Phoenixville. The nearest Whole Foods is probably the one in Devon,
and it's small and has poor selection.

[Alec D. Plotkin]

Post by Matthew Russotto

Post by KOA
I'm also a little disappointed: I did a search for locations for Whole Foods
and Trader Joe's, and there were none in Norristown/Phoenixville.

There's a Trader Joe's in Gateway Shopping Center south of
Phoenixville. The nearest Whole Foods is probably the one in Devon,
and it's small and has poor selection.

Trader Joe's is in Philly and Ardmore. They have a store in Gateway
which is in Wayne, off 202. The Whole Foods in Devon is a regular
supermarket size store. I don't know about their selection of stuff.


http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/list_PA.html - with locations in
Philly.



TJ's
----
Center City (#634)
2121 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
[phone]
Entrance & parking off Commerce Street


Wayne (#632)
171 East Swedesford Road
Wayne, PA 19087
[phone]
In the Gateway Shopping Center


Ardmore (#635)
112 Coulter Ave.
Ardmore, PA 19003
[phone]
In Suburban Square, within the heart of Ardmore
Open daily from 9a-9p



Alec

***@att.net

[Shawn Hirn]

Post by Alec D. Plotkin

Post by Matthew Russotto

Post by KOA
I'm also a little disappointed: I did a search for locations for Whole Foods
and Trader Joe's, and there were none in Norristown/Phoenixville.

There's a Trader Joe's in Gateway Shopping Center south of
Phoenixville. The nearest Whole Foods is probably the one in Devon,
and it's small and has poor selection.

Trader Joe's is in Philly and Ardmore. They have a store in Gateway
which is in Wayne, off 202. The Whole Foods in Devon is a regular
supermarket size store. I don't know about their selection of stuff.
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/list_PA.html - with locations in
Philly.
TJ's
----
Center City (#634)
2121 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
[phone]
Entrance & parking off Commerce Street
Wayne (#632)
171 East Swedesford Road
Wayne, PA 19087
[phone]
In the Gateway Shopping Center
Ardmore (#635)
112 Coulter Ave.
Ardmore, PA 19003
[phone]
In Suburban Square, within the heart of Ardmore
Open daily from 9a-9p

Trader Joe's also operates a store on Old York Road in Jenkintown.

[Toggle]

Just out of curiousity, how does Trader Joe's make money without the
sale of wine and beer? It seems like all they sell here in California.
Well, there's the dairy case, the frozen food aisle, and the
prepackaged salads, but liquor is where they make their nut.

Peanut butter-filled pretzel nuggets don't pay the mortgage. They are
moving a lot of Charles Shaw at the original price of $1.99 here - and
it's not that good.

[Shawn Hirn]

Post by Toggle
Just out of curiousity, how does Trader Joe's make money without the
sale of wine and beer? It seems like all they sell here in California.
Well, there's the dairy case, the frozen food aisle, and the
prepackaged salads, but liquor is where they make their nut.
Peanut butter-filled pretzel nuggets don't pay the mortgage. They are
moving a lot of Charles Shaw at the original price of $1.99 here - and
it's not that good.

Obviously, Trader Joes's can't sell liquor or wine at its stores in
states such as Pennsylvania. In NJ where I live, only one TJ's store
sells wine and that store is at least an hour or two north of where I
live so I have never been there. They make money off selling other
goods, same as all the other food stores in states where they are not
permitted to sell alcoholic drinks.

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by Toggle
Just out of curiousity, how does Trader Joe's make money without the
sale of wine and beer? It seems like all they sell here in California.
Well, there's the dairy case, the frozen food aisle, and the
prepackaged salads, but liquor is where they make their nut.

There are only two Trader Joe's in the Phila. area that I'm
aware of. The market they serve(the same one as Whole Foods) in
Phila. is underserved(imo) so I would wager that they are doing okay.

[Shawn Hirn]

Post by Karen Y Byrd

Post by Toggle
Just out of curiousity, how does Trader Joe's make money without the
sale of wine and beer? It seems like all they sell here in California.
Well, there's the dairy case, the frozen food aisle, and the
prepackaged salads, but liquor is where they make their nut.

There are only two Trader Joe's in the Phila. area that I'm
aware of. The market they serve(the same one as Whole Foods) in
Phila. is underserved(imo) so I would wager that they are doing okay.

This depends on how you define "the Phila. area," but there are at least
four TJ's that I can think of in a 30 mile radius of Philly. There's the
store at 21st & Market Sts. (of course), Jenkintown (Old York Road), the
one a few miles south of Route 73 on Route 202, the Ardmore store, plus
the store in NJ on Route 73 in Marlton.

[Toggle]

Actually, the question that I REALLY wanted to ask - and it's
rhetorical because Trader Joe's corporate owners are extremely
tight-lipped about their operations and future store locations - is how
they decided that they could make a profit in Pennsylvania without that
nice profit cushion which derives from the sale of alcohol.

Most supermarket chains run on a miniscule profit margin - on the order
of 1 to 2 percent, I believe - and so demand a constant and high volume
of profit to warrant maintaining a location. TJ's, OTOH, probably has
a higher profit margin on most of its products (ever notice how so many
of their products are $2.99?), and so can skate in a state with
restrictive liquor sales laws in order to maintain market presence in a
given region (i.e., the entire Northeast Corridor).

The second question, then, is - will there still be as many TJ's around
the Philadelphia area in 5 years as there are today once the novelty
wears off and the local supermarkets start providing similar products
to boomers?

TJ's original target market segment, if I remember correctly, was
school teachers who had traveled abroad and who wanted to experiment
with exotic food and drink. Not a lot of disposable income but a
desire to eat something other than Rice-a-Roni...

[bebopper]

I live in Merion, and often travel the few extra miles to TJ because
they have fresh unpasteurized Orange Juice for $3.99 vs. the $5.99
Odwalla which is the best Genuardi's (safeway) can muster. Also TJ
has a great variety of well-priced cheeses and other deli items like
fresh salsa, prosciutto smoked salmon etc. They also carry Tri-Tip
roasts (which are way popular in California, but impossible to find
here in the N.E.) Garlick Farms Over-The-Moon milk is another luxury
that is hard to find elsewhere.

I don't buy a lot of their processed or frozen stuff which can be
hit-or-miss in the taste department. In general, I look at it as a
specialty store where stuff like broken Ghiardelli chocolate chunks
are a bargain.

The whole concept is pretty kitschy, but in general their prices are
comparable with the generic supermarkets, and they offer a variety of
products that have no additives and appear healthier than the
big-chain counterparts.

Here on the Main Line where I've seen people spend obscene amounts for
pre-formed Scottish spring water ice cubes (for their Scotch, natch)
TJ is a bargain.

- bebopper

Post by Toggle
Actually, the question that I REALLY wanted to ask - and it's
rhetorical because Trader Joe's corporate owners are extremely
tight-lipped about their operations and future store locations - is how
they decided that they could make a profit in Pennsylvania without that
nice profit cushion which derives from the sale of alcohol.
Most supermarket chains run on a miniscule profit margin - on the order
of 1 to 2 percent, I believe - and so demand a constant and high volume
of profit to warrant maintaining a location. TJ's, OTOH, probably has
a higher profit margin on most of its products (ever notice how so many
of their products are $2.99?), and so can skate in a state with
restrictive liquor sales laws in order to maintain market presence in a
given region (i.e., the entire Northeast Corridor).
The second question, then, is - will there still be as many TJ's around
the Philadelphia area in 5 years as there are today once the novelty
wears off and the local supermarkets start providing similar products
to boomers?
TJ's original target market segment, if I remember correctly, was
school teachers who had traveled abroad and who wanted to experiment
with exotic food and drink. Not a lot of disposable income but a
desire to eat something other than Rice-a-Roni...

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by Toggle
The second question, then, is - will there still be as many TJ's around
the Philadelphia area in 5 years as there are today once the novelty
wears off and the local supermarkets start providing similar products
to boomers?

My gut says there may be more TJ's and Whole Foods around
not less. The novelty won't wear off even if regular supermarkets
change what they offer. I don't think the "whole foods"
movement is a fad.

[Toggle]

I believe the science fiction author, John Brunner, in his work "Stand
on Zanzibar", set in the 21st century in a world with more than seven
billion people, was the first one to come up with the concept of
organic foods sold in a chain store called "Pilgrim Foods" (at a
significant premium to what the average person would pay for food).

If so, he deserves to sit at Arthur C. Clarke's right hand for the same
reason that Clarke deserves enshrinement for his conception of the
concept of the geosynchronous satellite.

Note to readers: I've posted in phl.transportation under a different
name as well, and have shifted my identity so that I can be a little
more anonymous. Nothing devious, just would like to be at arm's length
from easy family and work identification when I participate in usenet
discussions.

[Matthew Mitchell]

Post by Shawn Hirn

Post by Karen Y Byrd
There are only two Trader Joe's in the Phila. area that I'm
aware of. The market they serve(the same one as Whole Foods) in
Phila. is underserved(imo) so I would wager that they are doing okay.

This depends on how you define "the Phila. area," but there are at least
four TJ's that I can think of in a 30 mile radius of Philly.

Yep. According to the bag here in my kitchen, there's Abington,
Ardmore, Media, Center City, and Wayne in PA; Marlton in South Jersey,
and Wilmington (on 202 north, I'd guess).

And I agree they're going to continue growing (*). Disposable income
is increasing, as is the market for foreign cuisines (how many of you
remember your parents eating Indian one night, Greek the next?) and
organic foods.

I don't see the large supermarkets challenging them any time soon.
Genuardi's had their Zagara's concept, but it didn't do well in
Abington and now there's no innovation like that at all under the
California people. Clemens has its niche store in Bryn Mawr (_very_
expensive), but there's no sign they're replicating it anywhere else.
As for Whole Foods, they're here to stay, but in order to expand, they
have to figuratively hold their noses and go to McMansion land, and my
impression is that their management feels too superior to grace such
unelnlightened people with their presence.

The only real challenger I see is Wegman's, which is closing in from
several directions (Downingtown, Lehigh Valley, Princeton, with
Marlton and Warrington [Bucks] next). Fabulous store making money
hand over fist by combining a vast selection of regular supermarket
items with an alcove of very diverse international products and a huge
prepared foods/food court section. Rather labor intensive, but they
get a pretty penny for the prepared foods, and the size of the place
gives them enough volume even on the specialty items to cover the nut.
Don't think they'll ever do much business inside of the 476/276
ring--there wouldn't be enough sites with enough space for the
footprint of their typical megastore.

Matt Mitchell
[remembers the opening of the first 'mega-Weg' near Syracuse about 30
years ago--now the typical new Acme or Genuardi's is about that scale]

*--my bet for where'd they go next? The outer suburbs: Newtown,
Montgomeryville, Oaks, West Chester. Close enough that it won't be a
challenge for distribution, but out where the new subdivisions are
going up. Nearby colleges for labor might help too.

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by Matthew Mitchell
*--my bet for where'd they go next? The outer suburbs: Newtown,
Montgomeryville, Oaks, West Chester. Close enough that it won't be a
challenge for distribution, but out where the new subdivisions are
going up. Nearby colleges for labor might help too.

There is some talk that Whole Foods will slightly expand their footprint in the
city, close their store at 20th and Callowhill(which is only
about 6 years old), and build a brand new, larger store nearby
at 15th and Vine.

[Shawn Hirn]

Post by Matthew Mitchell
The only real challenger I see is Wegman's, which is closing in from
several directions (Downingtown, Lehigh Valley, Princeton, with
Marlton and Warrington [Bucks] next). Fabulous store making money
hand over fist by combining a vast selection of regular supermarket
items with an alcove of very diverse international products and a huge
prepared foods/food court section. Rather labor intensive, but they
get a pretty penny for the prepared foods, and the size of the place
gives them enough volume even on the specialty items to cover the nut.
Don't think they'll ever do much business inside of the 476/276
ring--there wouldn't be enough sites with enough space for the
footprint of their typical megastore.
Matt Mitchell
[remembers the opening of the first 'mega-Weg' near Syracuse about 30
years ago--now the typical new Acme or Genuardi's is about that scale]
*--my bet for where'd they go next? The outer suburbs: Newtown,
Montgomeryville, Oaks, West Chester. Close enough that it won't be a
challenge for distribution, but out where the new subdivisions are
going up. Nearby colleges for labor might help too.

There's already a Whole Foods Store right in the Montgeryville area. The
store is on Route 309 where it meets route 63. There's also a Whole
Foods store in Mount Laurel on Route 73. I would define both those areas
as McMansionland. Both thosestores have been in business for several
years.

Wegman's is poised to open a store almost within walking distance of
where I live at the old Garden State Race Track. That store looks like
it will probably open for business in another two months. I can't wait!
I have been in two or three other Wegman's stores and they are far
superior to anything else in this area, including Whole Foods.

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by Shawn Hirn
Wegman's is poised to open a store almost within walking distance of
where I live at the old Garden State Race Track. That store looks like
it will probably open for business in another two months. I can't wait!
I have been in two or three other Wegman's stores and they are far
superior to anything else in this area, including Whole Foods.

For us city dwellers the Wegman's expansion doesn't do us a whole
heap of good. I do go into the 'burbs and Cherry Hill isn't
that far away from me so I will probably check it out.

[Shawn Hirn]

Post by Karen Y Byrd

Post by Shawn Hirn
Wegman's is poised to open a store almost within walking distance of
where I live at the old Garden State Race Track. That store looks like
it will probably open for business in another two months. I can't wait!
I have been in two or three other Wegman's stores and they are far
superior to anything else in this area, including Whole Foods.

For us city dwellers the Wegman's expansion doesn't do us a whole
heap of good. I do go into the 'burbs and Cherry Hill isn't
that far away from me so I will probably check it out.

The new Webman's is only three or four miles from the Ben Franklin
Bridge right on Route 70, so its within easy reach of Center City
residents who have a car. In fact, I just read in yesterday's
Courier-Post that it will open in June. A new Home Depot is scheduled to
open in the same Strip Mall in a week or two. A Cheese Cake factory, a
Best Buy, and a Barns & Nobel are also being built there on the old
Garden State Race Track site.

Since I live only about a mile from there, I am very happy to see this
all come about; esp. the Wegman's and the Barns & Nobel.

[c***@yahoo.com]

Post by Shawn Hirn

Post by Karen Y Byrd

Post by Shawn Hirn
Wegman's is poised to open a store almost within walking distance of
where I live at the old Garden State Race Track. That store looks like
it will probably open for business in another two months. I can't wait!
I have been in two or three other Wegman's stores and they are far
superior to anything else in this area, including Whole Foods.

For us city dwellers the Wegman's expansion doesn't do us a whole
heap of good. I do go into the 'burbs and Cherry Hill isn't
that far away from me so I will probably check it out.

The new Webman's is only three or four miles from the Ben Franklin
Bridge right on Route 70, so its within easy reach of Center City
residents who have a car. In fact, I just read in yesterday's
Courier-Post that it will open in June. A new Home Depot is scheduled to
open in the same Strip Mall in a week or two. A Cheese Cake factory, a
Best Buy, and a Barns & Nobel are also being built there on the old
Garden State Race Track site.
Since I live only about a mile from there, I am very happy to see this
all come about; esp. the Wegman's and the Barns & Nobel.

It is great that some upscale offerings will be at GS Park, by the ex
race-track site (including Wegmans, B&N and Cheesecake). New condos
and apartments, and an artery road to the destinational Cherry Hill
mall can bring the right crowd for this plaza. Plus this plaza
actually faces Route 70, unlike the convoluted and not as attractive GS
Pavilions, that Home Depot is abandoning.

I wonder how the other plazas in west Cherry Hill will pan out, and if
the Whole Foods in Marlton will suffer with 2 Wegmans stores closeby
(one in Mt.Laurel, other in Cherry Hill). Granted, it isn't all new,
as some could just be considered replacing the 2 Zagara stores.

OT: If Nordstrom pulls into Cherry Hill Mall, it'd also be a nice
complement to the township. The mall has its upscale spots, but it
also caters to the urban wear crowds. Frankly, I'm not sure if
Nordstrom would be able to adjust, esp. if the strawbridge's building
is too large. Else, Boscov's is interested in that spot.

The old Home Depot will be vacant, and there is a vacant Old Navy
building in GS Pavilions. Who'll refill them?

I wonder if the Pathmark (on Church Rd.), Genuardi's (Ellisburg) or
nearby ShopRite will suffer as well, with Wegmans also carrying
traditional grocery market stuff. Granted a Wal-Mart also just
opened, courting the price sensitive, discount sector.

I remember a grand Superfresh by the Cherry Hill mall, that didn't last
long. It's now LA Fitness. Wegmans is a better operator, but one
chain, maybe the Pathmark or ShopRite would be the loser.

[Toggle]

Wegman's is a fabulous shopping experience. I get off the airplane at
Lehigh Valley International when I come in for a visit, stop off there
and provision myself for my stay (they sell the Washington Post in
Allentown, for example!), check out with my frequent shoppers' card,
and head west on 78 to my final destination.

BTW, I'm very much looking forward to road-geeking the Lehigh County
section of the 222 construction. I had an interesting chat with a
PennDOT employee who described why roads in PA seem so, er,
underwhelming. He said, and I quote, that the design philosophy is
"Dutchy Cheap".

In Berks, aside from the 222/183 interchange - backups onto the freeway
at commute hour because of signal timing - things look real good. It's
nice to see sound walls without graffiti. I plan to drive as far as
Adamstown and then one exit farther into Lancaster County to see what's
new. 2006 is the scheduled completion for that project.

All that Berks needs to do now (aside from completely reconstruct 222
from Reading to Allentown with exception of Kutztown Bypass) is bring
422/Benjamin Franklin Highway from the end of the West Shore Bypass to
the Montgomery County line to expressway/freeway standards. My
family's old farm in Amity Township is now "Blacksmith Pointe: Phases
I, II, and III", and houses SEPTA-area commuters.

[Hillary Israeli]

In <srhi-***@news.giganews.com>,
Shawn Hirn <***@comcast.net> wrote:

*There's already a Whole Foods Store right in the Montgeryville area. The
*store is on Route 309 where it meets route 63. There's also a Whole
*Foods store in Mount Laurel on Route 73. I would define both those areas
*as McMansionland. Both thosestores have been in business for several
*years.

That 309/63 area is NOT McMansionland.

[Shawn Hirn]

Post by Hillary Israeli
*There's already a Whole Foods Store right in the Montgeryville area. The
*store is on Route 309 where it meets route 63. There's also a Whole
*Foods store in Mount Laurel on Route 73. I would define both those areas
*as McMansionland. Both thosestores have been in business for several
*years.
That 309/63 area is NOT McMansionland.

It is in my opinion. I don't have to drive more than two or three miles
from that Whole Foods store before I can find plenty of McMansions.

[c***@yahoo.com]

Voorhees has some McMansions as well. Whole Foods keeps up signs in
the Marlton store, to offer suggestions for new locations.

I should suggest to Whole Foods another store, maybe the former Goods
Furniture location on Route 73, to serve the McMansion families of
Voorhees. Marlton isn't far enough from Voorhees however, (for both
TJ and WF) and the Zallies ShopRite in Berlin would be a tough
competitor, however.

[KOA]

Post by Matthew Mitchell
I don't see the large supermarkets challenging them any time soon.
Genuardi's had their Zagara's concept, but it didn't do well in
Abington and now there's no innovation like that at all under the
California people. Clemens has its niche store in Bryn Mawr (_very_
expensive), but there's no sign they're replicating it anywhere else.

There's a Clemens in Bryn Mawr???????

[Hillary Israeli]

In <KdAJf.775$***@trndny04>,
KOA <***@fastmail.fm> wrote:

*
*"Matthew Mitchell" <***@dvarp.org> wrote in message
*news:***@4ax.com...
*
*> I don't see the large supermarkets challenging them any time soon.
*> Genuardi's had their Zagara's concept, but it didn't do well in
*> Abington and now there's no innovation like that at all under the
*> California people. Clemens has its niche store in Bryn Mawr (_very_
*> expensive), but there's no sign they're replicating it anywhere else.
*
*
*There's a Clemens in Bryn Mawr???????

No. There is a Food Source by Clemens in Bryn Mawr. Whole different thing.

[Shawn Hirn]

Post by KOA
Can anyone tell me if stores like Whole Grocer, Whole Foods, and Trader
Joe's take food stamps?
I am converting to organic now.

What did they say when you called to ask?