Until Whole Foods shows up in Honolulu, my wife has narrowed her food shopping to just the new Safeway super market on Kapahulu Avenue. And Longs. And an occasional run to Wal-Mart and Costco. And Times. But Star Market is off the list for sure. Oh, and Foodland beceause it’s just down the street, and Chinatown because it’s so close to work.
See the problem?
I say pick a store and live with it. My wife said that if she had to pick a store it would be the Safeway on Kapahulu. And maybe Whole Foods. Then she goes and repeats the above scenario.
Perhaps my perspective is a bit warped since I’m a guy and my real job in this shopping process is to drive and carry heavy stuff, but there isn’t much difference between any of those stores. Longs is a poor super market, but has some price leader sales items which attract local folks like sugar attracts ants.
Costco is good for bulk items but we’re still having trouble getting through the gallon container of black olives we bought in 1999. Wal-Mart is the worst because we never find what we want and always leave with something else. The savings really are that good on things we don’t need.
Foodland, Times, and Star are scruffy, scruffier, and scruffiest among the local stores. Maybe that’s the difference. Safeway Kapahulu is more like a huge, wide-aisled mainland food shopping experience. There’s those cute little shopping carts which are easier to maneuver and the wheels don’t rattle. Then there’s the deli, fresh fish, and wine section. They even have strawberry Rice Dream.
Times is two blocks away. Foodland is three blocks. Safeway Makiki is another two blocks away. Wal-Mart is six blocks. Safeway Kapahulu is on the other side of town and my wife wants me to drive her there tonight. Again.
Still, it’s a pleasant experience, even for a guy. I can walk through the aisles and lust over food I don’t need, can’t eat, couldn’t afford if I could eat it. I don’t even have to buy anything since my job is simply to drive and carry heavy stuff. A man has to know his place in life.
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