When I say "grocery store" I mean what some people call a 'supermarket' meaning that it is all inclusive, with over-the-counter pharmacy type items, soaps, miscellaneous cleaners, pet food, and a liquor department.
Not far from where I live is a fantastic "supermarket" called Woodman's Markets. These are a chain of just 17 grocery stores. All inclusive, but no actual pharmacy. They are, as I said, Fantastic!
Yes, technically they are supermarkets. They have a wonderful selection of anything you would expect to find in a supermarket. They have reasonable prices too. That is a benefit of being employee owned. If something does not sell well enough it won't be there for long.
I had been in a few different Woodman's Markets in Wisconsin (their headquarters is in Janesville), and northern Illinois. At first I did not like the sheer enormity of their stores... but then,... I was diagnosed with an illness that requires avoiding a specific food ingredient... I need to shop in the "Natural/Organic" food aisles. At the time of my diagnosis my local Woodman's was in the process of doubling the size of their "Natural/Organic" department. What a bonus for me! Immediately Woodman's became my main grocery stop, and in short order my ONLY grocery stop.
There is something about their stores.... to a new visitor they appear to be like a lot of other supermarkets... But to me, they are unique. I have spoken with their employees, and witnessed the staff in action. Including the managerial staff... stocking shelves, and helping customers locate items... and I have asked about certain items... and always the staff either knows the answer or very quickly finds the answer.
This may not be my parents market, which was a small grocer with a butcher counter in the back....
Raffetto's Market on Ellinwood Street in Des Plaines, Illinois,....
I am fairly certain that my parents would like Woodman's despite it's size.
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