The Grocery Store

Kroger, Safeway, IGA, Albertsons, and Hyvee are the names of a few grocery stores across the United States. The locations of the stores are one main central area where those driving home from work can stop in to pick up a few items during the week or are close to the church on Sundays to do shopping after service. Still thriving are the neighborhood grocery stores. Two local shops which are still going strong are Dots Market, with locations in Kettering and Bellbrook, along with Ella's in Waynesville. When one steps through the door, you are taken back in time where the the majority of the items to purchase are grocery. Some stores still have the older conveyor type check outs where the belt started at the consumer side and ended on the end, almost in the shape of a comma. The local grocer knew and still knows the locals, when time permits, greeting them by name.  When was the last time someone went to the larger grocer and getting the same checker.

Recently these larger, corporate owned stores have been remodeling to outdo each other. This has yet to have any impact on the neighborhood stores mentioned above. The local stores have been there for the neighborhoods and found it difficult to keep their doors open.  While out in Nebraska, as I drove around I found remnants of these stores and asked my mom about the grocery store where her family shopped at in the Havelock district. She spoke about the clerks knowing the names of the families, when one could purchase items on a line of credit and pay it back, they also delivered your order when the need was there.

The military had their own 'neighborhood' grocery store.  The commissary was usually connected with the base exchange with a small strip style mall, creating a one stop shop for those in the service and their families.  I loved going to the commissary. The prices were competitive with those off base, they were clean and the best service of all, was being able to pull up under an overhang and the person who bagged the food would ask what type of car you had, wait until you pulled up, and loaded the bags for you.  My parents were thankful for this when we were stationed in Alaska.