Patricia’s Porch Talk: Attention Bi-Lo Shoppers

Isn’t it amazing how an accounting scandal as far away as the Netherlands caused ‘my’ supermarket chain to be up for grabs?
I stopped at ‘my’ Bi-Lo last week and watched, amused, as shoppers stripped the shelves of milk and bread. I didn’t need to see the local weather report to know that snow was in the forecast. A few six-packs rolled down the conveyor belts along with some batteries, but milk and bread seemed most in demand.
I’ve always wondered at this phenomenon – are there some who just eat bread and drink milk if it snows? Don’t they need to buy some peanut butter or jelly or something to go on their bread? Don’t they need some Cheeze-Its or bananas?
I chose bananas, red grapes, and two baking potatoes. I’ve been buying loose potatoes since I saw on national news where some lady (not from around here and not at Bi-Lo!!) found a snake in her plastic bag of potatoes.
I don’t want to frighten anyone.. I’m fairly sure that was the only snake to ever crawl out of a bag of russets in recorded potato history. However, I take good care of my phobias and my fear of snakes is number one – any species, any size, any color – so I won’t be taking any chances. For the next few months, I will approach potato bins everywhere with the utmost of caution.
The ‘snow shoppers’ hadn’t yet depleted the skim milk supply, so I quickly grabbed a gallon, not because of impending snow but because I was out of milk!
Near the front, I bumped into David, the general manager, and nodded toward the milk n’ bread laden carts, “Looks like they’ll be eating milk sandwiches again.” He laughed and said they were probably stocked up on everything else. Looking at all those carts filled with milk and bread, I found it difficult to believe everyone was so well prepared. I think, instead, it is simply a ‘snow’ thing with some people.
David explained, “It happens this way every time.” Then he asked, “You been doin’ alright?” I expressed concern over recent reports and rumors. “I don’t want this store to change one iota, David. It feels like family here.”
He understood, “We’re all hoping that whoever buys us, keeps us.”
I certainly hope that’s true. It wouldn’t be the same if I couldn’t run in early in the morning and see Susan’s smiling face.
Rumors are rampant and ‘Kroger’ keeps popping up as a possibility. I was a Kroger shopper many years ago; they were here once before, you know. I also shopped regularly at Kroger when I lived in Texas and had no complaints.
‘Publix’ rumors keep popping up too, evoking memories. A few years ago, I bought a lottery ticket for $1 at Publix while vacationing in Florida and won $189, so that was a good experience.
Another memorable Publix experience was more recent. In Atlanta for a couple of days, I shopped at Publix on Peachtree Road. Bacon was at one end of the store, sausage was at the other, and eggs were not with either one. I asked directions three or four times just to get breakfast pulled together. The store was small by today’s standards but I must have pushed my loaded cart back and forth at least a half-mile. Frustrated, I finally asked, “Are you sure people eat sausage in Atlanta?” The employee shrugged “sure they do” and gestured “over that way.”
Practical shelving arrangements didn’t seem to be at the top of their list but they did offer customers a good dose of cardio. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t mind hiking up and down the aisles; on the contrary, I needed the workout. I was stiff and tired from driving ‘lost’ for miles after making a wrong turn in Atlanta after dark.
I’m hoping whoever purchases ‘my’ Bi-Lo will leave the breakfast items where they are, with bacon and sausage nestled comfortably beside each other with eggs, butter, and coffee creamer close by. The current arrangement doesn’t need tampering with.
Other chains have come and gone, but I’ve been a Bi-Lo shopper since before it was Bi-Lo, and most of the employees at ‘my’ store have also been there since before it was Bi-Lo. They also offer one-stop shopping. Kathy smiles and says “Hi! How ‘ya doing?” Johnny, the pharmacist, sincerely inquires, “You feeling better now?” and Jeff and Michael are troubleshooting all over the place. Nancy, in the First Tennessee Bank kiosk for years, spies me, “Hey there! Haven’t seen you in a while.” Nancy is an icon. So is David. And Susan, Elaine, Michael, Kathy, Yvonne, Paul, Johnny, Gloria, and Jeff, and the many others who help make this the friendliest store in town.
Aunt Mildred phoned today. She had heard the rumors too. ”What about the milk coupons? If I collect seven milk coupons, I get a free gallon of milk! What happens if I have six and new owners suddenly take over?
You think they’ll give me that last one? Hmmmph! Bet they won’t.”