Why don't poor neighborhoods have Grocery Stores? (Chicago, Lincoln: fit in, crime rates)

[krsheely]

Too many reasons to name why poor people dont shop at grocery stores,

1. Most middle income people dont really shop at grocery stores either, some do but most dont, even if they do they go once a month and dont buy what they really should. Most just eat out every day. Im speaking reagarding the younger demographic.

2. It really is just easier to walk down to the local gas station get ur food for the day and be done, or get mcdonalds.

3. Also most people really dont undertand the hood mentality, the person who gave the example of people stealing from the super market to sell to the local vendor is a perfect example. The local spots know the local people, the arangment is good for everyone. Not in terms of people stealing stuff for them but in terms of people knowing the local merchant and buying from him because its right down the street.

4. I am liberal as all but come on "education" who doesnt know that eating vegetables is better than eating boxed foods. People dont give enough credit to goonies for intellegence, its not that tough, What is tough is getting on a plan or course of action to realisticly eat better.

Also poor folks and middle class/rich folks both have a great excuse, they are busy living their lives and its just easier to get instant gratification. While each group may have different priorities they both have them and they do not usually include making sure they buy their food at the supermarket for the week.

Also the underground economy comes into play, I can buy lots of ebt cards (what they're called in Indianapolis) all the time for the low low if I wanted for cash , even lower if I traded drugs. Also I know people I can call who work at a barbershop but sell steaks. People in the hood hustle everything, everything and dont really feel like telling sociological studies or the goverment the truth.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by krsheely

1. Most middle income people dont really shop at grocery stores either, some do but most dont, even if they do they go once a month and dont buy what they really should. Most just eat out every day. Im speaking reagarding the younger demographic.

2. It really is just easier to walk down to the local gas station get ur food for the day and be done, or get mcdonalds.

That's completely contrary to every middle-income (and poorer, when you're talking college students and kids just out of college still burdened with huge debt) person I've ever known.

Eating out (and this addresses # 2) is expensive.

Not to mention, I consider it inconvenient to have to leave my house to eat- I'm 38, I've eaten breakfast at home and brought my lunch to work for 95%+ of my meals since I graduated from college.

Cereal in the morning & a sandwich, small bag of chips and piece of fruit for lunch saves tons of money over the long haul.

I eat out for dinner at most twice a week, usually just once, if that.

I do it mostly for the social aspect (ie, it's a way to spend stress-free time with my wife, not simply a quick bite to eat).

I understand you are just describing how people think & not defending it, but what permeates everything you wrote is a lack of long-term planning for the future.

[krsheely]

Lack of longer term planning for the future sounds pretty familar with about everything in the World. lol

Also remember this, Im using my knowledge of the people I know. I.E younger folks, also when i say eat out Im mostly refering to fast food, or cheap sit down places I.E o charley's. or the like.

I grew up with old school parents and the youngest of 4 kids. So we ate at home every night like a family. Most people my age (24) didnt grow up like this. And I'd be if my family were smaller and I was the first born not the last I probably wouldnt have grown up this way either.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by krsheely

Lack of longer term planning for the future sounds pretty familar with about everything in the World. lol

Also remember this, Im using my knowledge of the people I know. I.E younger folks, also when i say eat out Im mostly refering to fast food, or cheap sit down places I.E o charley's. or the like.

I grew up with old school parents and the youngest of 4 kids. So we ate at home every night like a family. Most people my age (24) didnt grow up like this. And I'd be if my family were smaller and I was the first born not the last I probably wouldnt have grown up this way either.

I hear you - btw, are you male or female?

Thinking more on this, I'm imagining had I not been in a live-in relationship after college with a gal who could cook I'd probably have eaten out at more fast food places myself. Lord knows I can't cook personally...

[BaronOB]

Originally Posted by Damage Control Freak

Aldi on the other hand with its concept of a very limited choice of very low-priced products is racking up nice profits in exactly these hoods.

ALDI is THE BEST GERMAN's chain with low-priced products of very good quality. There is no one German who do not buy by ALDi.In America ALDI has equal business principle as in Germany.

[Humboldt1]

Aldi in Europe is not like Aldi in the US. Trader Joe's is owned by the same family, different brother.

[krsheely]

I'm a male, and actually can cook better than most people I know. I worked hot prep in a kitchen that cooked most everything from scratch. I know what it takes to eat right I just dont. Takes time....I go to my parents house if I want to eat right or I may go once a week to the grocery and make something good. Other nights I'll use what I have on hand. But I'd say a good 3-4 days a week I'm eating junk in one form or another from someplace fast food style.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by krsheely

I'm a male, and actually can cook better than most people I know. I worked hot prep in a kitchen that cooked most everything from scratch. I know what it takes to eat right I just dont. Takes time....I go to my parents house if I want to eat right or I may go once a week to the grocery and make something good. Other nights I'll use what I have on hand. But I'd say a good 3-4 days a week I'm eating junk in one form or another from someplace fast food style.

the time can be the killer. I will say one thing - when you break 30 you're find that your metabolism will likely slow, and then you may need to change your diet... or else you'll be changing your pants for a larger waistline!

[beenhereandthere]

Insurance has something to do with it too. When I lived in downtown Detroit in the mid 90's there was only one major grocery store within a 3 mile radius. I often went to Windsor instead for that reason.

[Humboldt1]

Chicago has rough spots but there are signs of life in poor Chicago neighborhoods.

Petes, btw may take 1-3 years to get going on their store. They are not in a hurry to build the store due to overall economic conditions.