I miss Publix sooooo much! (Charlotte, Greenville: transplants, how much, buying)

[mrtgman]

Why are the grocery stores (Harris Teeter, Lowes) so much more expensive around here ( RT521 around Ballantyne) than they were in S. Florida? I always notice that the same items I used to buy at Publix are on average $1.oo more here. I was in Greeneville last weekend and went shopping at a publix there and realized how much I miss that store. I am seriously considering making the 3 hour round trip once a month to go shopping there. Besides I miss thier french bread from the bakery.

Does anyone know if there is a Publix closer to Charlotte other than Greenville/Simpsonville area?

Thanks!

[ncisgreat]

Dude, that loaf of bread won't last you a month, lol.

There are lower priced stores like Bloom and Bi-Lo. Try those.
I love Harris Teeter and only shop there so I don't notice "high" prices because I have nothing to compare it to. I just love the clean, well lit stores and the friendly people. I have never had an unfriendly encounter with a HT employee.

[flyingscotsman]

Don't miss publix at all I guess my nearest would be columbia

[Trevor92]

Food Lion is also far lower than those stores. Bloom, as previously mentioned, is actually owned by the same company that owns Food Lion but is a more upscale and expensive chain. Super Wal-Mart are all over the place and are cheaper. I generally try to avoid Wal-Mart but they are a valid option that would save you money without having to spend a fortune in gas that would discount your grocery savings. Though I don't think either one carries fresh bread.

[groove1]

Bllom is nothing but a dressed up Food Lion. I have been there 3 times to the new one in Fort Mill. The prices, which are even higher than Harris Teeter, always come up wrong when checking out; then the people working are rude about. A 9 oz bag of Kettle Brand chips is 3.40 at HT and Earth Fare; it's 3.49 for a 5 oz bag at Bloom and I know Belhize or however you spell it has more buying power than Earth Fare.

I have noticed though that a lot of things in Ballantyne are expensive just because it's Ballantyne. On average the Subway there is about $2 more for a 12 inch combo meal than the 3 Subways near where I work.

[robz]

dont miss publix at all with lowes and ht around

[carolina_guy]

One thing you have to consider is with oil prices so high, it trickles down and makes your groceries more expensive. So prices everywhere may have increased even at below par grocery stores. Around here, you will not find a better market than HT or Lowes, although I favor HT. The HTs also vary between locations. The best ones to my knowledge are Jetton at Lake Norman, HT on Sam Fur at exit 25 in Huntersville, Morrocroft at Southpark, and Ballentyne. These have the best selections of wines and market fresh items.

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by carolina_guy

One thing you have to consider is with oil prices so high, it trickles down and makes your groceries more expensive. So prices everywhere may have increased even at below par grocery stores. Around here, you will not find a better market than HT or Lowes, although I favor HT. The HTs also vary between locations. The best ones to my knowledge are Jetton at Lake Norman, HT on Sam Fur at exit 25 in Huntersville, Morrocroft at Southpark, and Ballentyne. These have the best selections of wines and market fresh items.

I like the one at exit 25 due to it has a salad bar with everything consider salad, egg, potatoe, tuna, chicken etc.

I also like they carry returnable glass bottle milk. I also like that Harris Teeter offer Paper bags and decent international selections.
The staff is always helpful and friendly. I never worry about the freshness of the items or quality.

[CouponJack]

Originally Posted by carolina_guy

One thing you have to consider is with oil prices so high, it trickles down and makes your groceries more expensive. So prices everywhere may have increased even at below par grocery stores. Around here, you will not find a better market than HT or Lowes, although I favor HT. The HTs also vary between locations. The best ones to my knowledge are Jetton at Lake Norman, HT on Sam Fur at exit 25 in Huntersville, Morrocroft at Southpark, and Ballentyne. These have the best selections of wines and market fresh items.

that's not true. Groceries are still cheap in certain places in the country (ie Shop Rite in the northeast still is inexpensive). It depends on location and store you goto.

Having said that, I love Lowes Foods. For transplants like me they carry the good ravioli and the bread is made from Anthons and Sons Bakery which is from NJ. You will pay alot more overall, but to me its worth it.

[nail in da coffin]

Originally Posted by mrtgman

Why are the grocery stores (Harris Teeter, Lowes) so much more expensive around here ( RT521 around Ballantyne) than they were in S. Florida? I always notice that the same items I used to buy at Publix are on average $1.oo more here. I was in Greeneville last weekend and went shopping at a publix there and realized how much I miss that store. I am seriously considering making the 3 hour round trip once a month to go shopping there. Besides I miss thier french bread from the bakery.

Does anyone know if there is a Publix closer to Charlotte other than Greenville/Simpsonville area?

Thanks!

I dont have a Lowes foods nearby but first time i went in and recently out of fl i thought it had the same setup and feel as Publix. Give them a try. I have noticed that when you shop once too often at same store you stop questioning their prices, you just pick out of shelves without looking, that may be why publix prices seemeed all that low to you at Publix. I never thought they were -low- and it was my closest food store in Miami. I always went to either BJ's , or a smaller chain, prob latin owned, called Price Choice.

wow, look at those prices:

http://pricechoicefoodmarkets.com/9a.htm