Cathy2 wrote:

stevez wrote:I'm excited. Kroger is a great operator.

You're reaction makes me feel a little better, because I had the same feeling if deja vu with Mariano's potentially losing its local feel.

Cathy, I think you would like Kroger's FWIW.

On a separate note, I finally made my way to the New a City Mariano's located at the end of my alley. I also have a Jewel about a block away from me. I doubt I will be there any more frequently than the Jewel. On average once/month.

Cathy2 wrote:

stevez wrote:I'm excited. Kroger is a great operator.

You're reaction makes me feel a little better, because I had the same feeling if deja vu with Mariano's potentially losing its local feel.

Well, that could happen, but if you've been in a Kroger store lately, you'd notice that they have greatly expanded the amount of ethnic and organic products they offer and have managed to keep the prices reasonable. For the organics, much lower than Whole Foods, for example. I'm hoping that the quality of the produce will improve as well.

pairs4life wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:

stevez wrote:I'm excited. Kroger is a great operator.

You're reaction makes me feel a little better, because I had the same feeling if deja vu with Mariano's potentially losing its local feel.

Cathy, I think you would like Kroger's FWIW.

On a separate note, I finally made my way to the New a City Mariano's located at the end of my alley. I also have a Jewel about a block away from me. I doubt I will be there any more frequently than the Jewel. On average once/month.

The wife is off carbs and she'll frequently stop in just to get a hamburger or a few lamb chops grilled for her for a quick meal. It's a great service and one that does make us go back with greater frequency.

Is there a chance Kroger might have to divest its FoodForLess stores in Chicagoland?

stevez wrote:

Coogles wrote:

milz50 wrote:Kroger has announced the acquisition/merger with Roundy's - Mariano's parent company. This deal has yet to close; it has just been announced.

Yahoo article

I'm ascared! Hopefully this won't be a repeat of the Safeway/Dominicks debacle.

I'm excited. Kroger is a great operator.

I do like Kroger's, I grew up in a town where it was the dominant grocery chian. I also worked for a man who had been a reigonal manager for Kroger's during their big expansion push in the 70's and 80's. He was of the opinion that the expansion back then ended badly because corporate management didn't fully appreciate that people in a given area have different preferences than people in another area, they replaced items/brands that locals wanted to buy with items/brands that HQ wanted to sell and that drove customers away. Hopefully they've learned from past mistakes.

I'm surprised that nobody of my vintage or older thinks that this is an amusing closing of a circle . . . .

When I was a wee lass in my Catholic-school plaid skirt, Kroger had many stores in the Chicago area [or so I remember].
When they pulled out of the Chicago market, they sold a lot of their former stores to . . . Dominick's.

I seem to recall that the store at Cumberland and Higgins in Park Ridge was originally a Kroger's.

Giovanna

Hi- I wonder if Kroger's will get rid of the piano player at Mariano's? It is interesting because when Jewel was sold a few years ago, some experts predicted that holding company that purchased Jewel, would only keep it for a year or two, and then would flip it. Some people expected Kroger's to eventually take over Jewel. I think that is what the Jewel employees was hoping wiykd eventually happen anyway. Now Kroger is going to be competing against Jewel. Hope this helps, Nancy

Cathy2 wrote:

stevez wrote:I'm excited. Kroger is a great operator.

You're reaction makes me feel a little better, because I had the same feeling if deja vu with Mariano's potentially losing its local feel.

When Kroger's acquired Fred Meyers (NW) in 1998, the fear was that Fred Meyer would be rebranded to Kroger's stores. They were NOT. In fact, if you head to Cincinnati to the larger upscale Kroger's stores, you will start to see some of the influence that Fred Meyers has had upon the Kroger's store.

It has been Kroger's operating philosophy NOT to change what is working. You will eventually see Kroger's private label brands over time. However, I have found that most of the Kroger's private label products are pretty darned good. They also have a low end brand that is meant to compete with the Aldo brand.

For years, Kroger's has been looking for an entry into the Chicagoland market. They wisely avoided purchasing the Dominick's stores and the like.

"Kroger takeover won't hurt quality at Mariano's stores, Bob Mariano says"

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ ... story.html

Giovanna wrote:I'm surprised that nobody of my vintage or older thinks that this is an amusing closing of a circle . . . .

When I was a wee lass in my Catholic-school plaid skirt, Kroger had many stores in the Chicago area [or so I remember].
When they pulled out of the Chicago market, they sold a lot of their former stores to . . . Dominick's.

I seem to recall that the store at Cumberland and Higgins in Park Ridge was originally a Kroger's.

Giovanna

I hear you, sister. I too remember Kroger in Chicago. There was a shiny new store on Broadway, at Barry, I think, back in my childhood. Then Kroger pulled out of Chicago and, yes, I believe that store became a Dominick's (although my family moved out of the neighborhood about then).

Former Chicagoan here now in Middle Tennessee (Franklin):

Kroger and Publix are the main players. The Krogers are a mixed bag. An older store reminds me of a Jewel. A larger, brand new store is light years ahead in quality and selection. Not bad but not up to Mariano's.

We love it here but grocery shopping leaves something to be desired, especially in fresh produce, which is ironic because crops grow so well down here and there is a strong farmers' market mentality (many open year round). We've said many times we wish Mariano's was here because they could make a killing with the wealth demographics here. Crossing our fingers this news will have a positive influence.

Involved in building a new Marianos right now - not sure if this location has been reported - 39th @ King Drive - SW corner -

We usually build/renovate Pete's, but work is work -

Speaking of Krogers - we shop at the one the next town over - Ottawa, IL. on occasion - I dunno - not that great.

While they started out fairly strong, the Chicago/Damen store has deteriorated significantly, particularly service wise. Twice in as many wks I've called in advance to see if they have an item I need, was assured they do, and go only to find they don't. Frustrating bullshit.

Exactly right, EvA. My first job was in 1973 at a new Dominick's on Crawford/Oakton in Skokie that had been a Kroger. Store #24. Six lanes and an express--big stuff. All my friends got jobs there and I have to say, we rocked it. The managers were absolute maniacs for service, and if we in our white shirts and red vests weren't bagging fast enough, the store manager would push us aside and show us what it was like. In stock you learned how to face off cans on the shelves with a box cutter between your teeth.

Funny how that little store that could, in its own way, has come full circle to the chill piano-musicked Mariano's. Probably five Store 24's could fit inside the Vernon Hills edifice. Would Dominick DiPiazza (the grocery version of Hyman Roth) be turning over in his grave?

lougord99 wrote:"Kroger takeover won't hurt quality at Mariano's stores, Bob Mariano says"

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ ... story.html

So a rep for the stores that are being taken over says nothing will change. Hmmm.....Reminds me of Lieutenant Frank Drebin in Naked Gun announcing "nothing to see here" in front of an obviously interesting crime scene.

My local marianos is hot garbage so it can't get much worse

Which one is that?

I was prepared to make Marianos Northbrook my goto grocer, but I am rethinking that. I hate having to shop at a second or third grocery - I usually shop each afternoon for that evening. To often, Marianos is out of basics that I need. Yesterday they had no boneless chicken thighs and no boneless chicken breasts. I have found many times that they are out of basic produce. I just cannot count on them to have what I need.

lougord99 wrote:I was prepared to make Marianos Northbrook my goto grocer, but I am rethinking that. I hate having to shop at a second or third grocery - I usually shop each afternoon for that evening. To often, Marianos is out of basics that I need. Yesterday they had no boneless chicken thighs and no boneless chicken breasts. I have found many times that they are out of basic produce. I just cannot count on them to have what I need.

Sounds like the Naperville Jewel on a Sunday...

I find that the produce section is a bit lacking at the one on Elston too. But I love this store so much I'm willing to put up with it for now. Beats Jewel by a long shot. What I hate is the little tiny bins of organic peppered about with the little tiny bins of non-organic and those different bags.

lougord99 wrote:I was prepared to make Marianos Northbrook my goto grocer, but I am rethinking that. I hate having to shop at a second or third grocery - I usually shop each afternoon for that evening. To often, Marianos is out of basics that I need. Yesterday they had no boneless chicken thighs and no boneless chicken breasts. I have found many times that they are out of basic produce. I just cannot count on them to have what I need.

Pie Lady wrote:I find that the produce section is a bit lacking at the one on Elston too. But I love this store so much I'm willing to put up with it for now. Beats Jewel by a long shot. What I hate is the little tiny bins of organic peppered about with the little tiny bins of non-organic and those different bags.

We've been using the Mariano's on Elston as our go-to store, but we've encountered some of the same problems lougord99 had at the Northbrook location, particularly if you shop on a Sunday. I get that Saturdays are the busiest days for grocery stores and they're occasionally going to run out of stuff until they can re-stock on Monday or Tuesday... but this last Sunday the place looked like it had been ransacked in preparation for the end of civilization. Want chicken breasts? Too bad. Want gala apples? Too bad. And on it went. For everything else the place has going for it, it seems their inventory management could use some fine-tuning.

We've also tried the new one on Lawrence and Ravenswood but parking is such a custerfluck there. And the one by Lane Tech is just... weird somehow -- just not the same. We've noticed that about other Mariano's that took over previously existing stores instead of being built from the ground up as a Mariano's.

But yeah, still a considerably more pleasant experience than the two Jewel stores that are relatively close by. And the Tony's on Elston is a complete time warp, and not in an entirely charming way.

I can't handle Tony's parking lot. Completely ridiculous design. It opens onto an intersection! Wheee!

The Mariano's in Elmhurst is lacking in the produce department as well. It's just not very big. Pete's Fresh Market (which is closer to me anyway) has a far larger produce area and selection, but Mariano's meat department is better (not massively so, however). Mariano's also has a few things I can't get at any of the other local supermarkets. So for me it's a matter of convenience and what's on my way too or from wherever I happen to be when I'm shopping.

Yeah, kinda makes me sad the proposed Pete's nearish me (Belmont/Pulaski) fell through. Something about a non-compete covenant on the property, which used to be a Jewel. So now it's a Planet Fitness instead. I would think a non-compete clause/covenat for an otherwise abandoned grocery store site would be unenforceable as against public policy.

Pie Lady wrote:Which one is that?

Foster/Sheridan

place gets worse each time i go in

Pie Lady wrote:I can't handle Tony's parking lot. Completely ridiculous design. It opens onto an intersection! Wheee!

Oh, that lot is the worst. If I need to make a quick trip to Tony's (and I'll drive all the way to Niles most of the time, far out of my way), I always try to park on Elston.

Couple of thoughts/observations. Kroger also owns Food 4 Less-a budget grocery. The Marianos in Northfield has not been crowded (compared to Glenview and Ravenswood)and the bakery section is underwhelming and understocked. But what I love about the place is the fresh squeezed orange juice that is the cheapest around. I make a trip there to buy the juice and little else.

Drover wrote:We've also tried the new one on Lawrence and Ravenswood but parking is such a custerfluck there.

Ever try the one at Ashland and Webster? We've been when there were no spaces at all--just cars driving around in an endless procession praying for a space to open up. Those times, we just give up and go to the Jewel at Ashland and Wellington. (And take it as a lesson learned.)

Regarding other Mariano's, the one under construction at Broadway and Wellington (where the Dominick's used to be) is ridiculously huge for that block. The building towers over the sidewalk like a monolith. It wouldn't be quite as ridiculous if it were set back a little; in fact, I'm surprised city zoning laws allow a building that big without a set back.

Pie Lady wrote:I can't handle Tony's parking lot. Completely ridiculous design. It opens onto an intersection! Wheee!

Yeah, that lot has a goofy layout which serves as an excellent prelude to the goofy layout found inside the store. However, there is an easy trick to getting out of that lot: if you drive around to the back of the store and keep driving along right next to the rear wall, it'll dump you out onto Ridgeway. From there you can either to left onto Elston or turn right onto that tiny little strip of Belle Plaine between Elston and Ridgeway, and then turn right onto Elston. Or you can just keep heading south on Ridgeway like I do since I live down that way.

riddlemay wrote:Ever try the one at Ashland and Webster?

Nope, a little to far into the weeds for me up here in Irving Park.

riddlemay wrote:We've been when there were no spaces at all--just cars driving around in an endless procession praying for a space to open up. Those times, we just give up and go to the Jewel and Ashland and Wellington. (And take it as a lesson learned.)

Sounds like a blast!

riddlemay wrote:Ever try the one at Ashland and Webster? We've been when there were no spaces at all--just cars driving around in an endless procession praying for a space to open up. Those times, we just give up and go to the Jewel at Ashland and Wellington. (And take it as a lesson learned.)

Go up the ramp and park upstairs. I've never been there when there are 0 parking spaces upstairs. I do try to avoid pre-major event days (holidays, sports events, etc)