Ordering Items Much More Often

[19&41]

In the last 6 months, I have purchased more items online than in stores. My sister also orders groceries from Walmart and I tag along an order with that. The number of stores in my area have become very few. We have Walmart, Kroger, Home Depot and Publix. All the local clothing stores expired during the unmentionable event. It's pretty much online or no dice. I just had to order Corn Huskers Lotion. Nothing like it available at any of the drug stores here. Most of what I buy local are wholesale club sized vittles at Costco and Sam's.

[William]

Rex, I too shop Sam's and Costco, but still do a lot of grocery shopping at my local grocery stores. There is a Sam's in the first larger town south of me. If I want Costco I have to go to Grand Rapids which is 90+ miles away. The Sam's in GR is larger than the closer one to me so I shop there as well when I'm in GR. Needless to say I do not get down there all that often, but when I do I take advantage of the trip. The larger town to my north as a Walmart, Meijer, Aldi', and a Shop and Save. I head in that direction often for doctor appointments and other things. Walmart, Aldi's, and Shop and Save are my go to places there.

Bill

[19&41]

I always liked Meijer's. One could get many things done there, even get a haircut without having to go all over in the rotten weather.

[William]

Meijer's is ok, but not my favorite. I know several people that work there or have worked there. They all told me Meijer does not treat their help that well. The other thing I notice with Meijer, they price gouge. Their stores are not priced the same. And, the stores that are in Grand Rapids, which is the home of Meijer, are the most expensive. And, believe it or not, the Meijer that services Grand Valley state college is the most expensive of them all. Also the Meijer stores that service the less fortunate areas are also more expensive. Go figure, right!

Bill

[TC Chris]

We have two local grocery store chains here-- little regional operations that seem to have thrived. The family that owns one of them, Oleson's, has been especially generous with their money in our community. Every day after work my daily hike goes through a recreation area that they sold below-market to local government for parkland. It would have been prime development property. For many years there was an annual spring barbecue to support the local community college. They donated all the food. We have two downtown local bookstores. One almost closed when the owners wanted to retire, but there was such an uproar that they decided to keep working and figure out some way to keep the store going in the future. In my old age I have come to see the benefits of buying from local vendors whenever possible. Spending money here means that when I need one of those stores to be there, they are more likely to be there. Geez, even my old-car insurance co. is local--Hagerty, which has a big complex downtown. I love to stop in and check out the latest display cars. (Waiting for post-pandemic so i can do it again). That's where I was in touching distance of the Bullitt Mustang. No, I didn't touch but I did take a photo.

Bullitt Mustang.JPG

Chris Campbell

[TC Chris]

"deleted". Photo didn't show up.