Where To Buy...

[Aylalou]

Go to Trader Joe. We have a new one right in Saint Paul and plenty of room for parking. On Randolph and Lexington. Great prices and good, good stuff. You can get a good bottle of wine for $3.00.

[uptown_urbanist]

Good suggestion about the co-ops. The farmer's markets are pretty good and you can find some good deals if you buy in-season. They're not really where you go to stock up on basics, though. If you're worried about money then certainly stay away from Whole Foods. Trader Joe's is cheap and good for some things. Do you have TJ's where you're from? It's not great for the basics (or for produce), but is excellent for affordable snacks, frozen food, and convenience foods. No Safeways in MN, but there are certainly the same type of big and basic supermarkets. Rainbow, Cub, etc. I have't priced it out, but I would assume that your basic flour, sugar, etc. are going to be vastly cheaper at a Rainbow than at a Whole Foods.

[silverjet]

Originally Posted by DaPerpKazoo

There's a few different farmers' markets (four that I know of), and yes, they're pretty good. I've never been to one elsewhere so I don't know how they compare.

I've also never been to Whole Foods before so I don't know what the prices are like there, but the farmers' markets tend to be a bit more expensive than your regular grocery store.

I'll vouch for craigslist as being the best place to get a used bike. Lots of city bikes in good condition there.

EDIT:

I guess I missed part of your post. Since you're talking about Whole Foods and farmers' markets, I suppose I should have talked about co-ops in my reply. We have a few of those here, including the Seward Co-op, not too far from where you'll be living. Welcome to Seward Co-op! | seward.coop

In my experience, there are lots of great deals to be found at the farmers' markets. I suppose it depends what you get and where you go. There are tons all over the Cities, I've been to many -- small neighborhood ones and major ones (I like the St Paul Farmer's Market and the Midtown Farmer's Market).

Also, the Seward Co-Op is nice, however may I suggest actually going to a place in St Paul; for example, there are two Mississippi Market co-ops (one on Selby and a brand new one on W 7th). There is also the Hampden Park Co-Op on Raymond Ave.

Welcome to St Paul, Danny

[DannyBanany]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll probably end up getting most of my stuff at Trader Joe's or Cub. If I have that hankering for FRESH produce, I'll hit up the Farmers' Market. I hear the one in downtown Minneapolis is great.

We don't have a TJ's here in Rapid City, but people I know compare it to Albertson's and Safeway so I'll be all set. I guess the thing I'll miss most about Safeway is the Club Card and the fuel discounts. Oh well....

How is Lund's too? Do most SuperTargets have good deals and quality? The Target here doesn't have groceries so I don't really know.

[uptown_urbanist]

TJ's isn't like Safeway or Albertson's. It has a much smaller product line, and most of the stuff is packaged just for TJ's. It was originally developed to appeal to highly-educated, well-traveled people with not a lot of money, and although it's been bought out (by the people who own Aldi) it still retains that aura about it. You'll want to check it out, but don't necessarily expect to do your basic shopping there. Most people don't do all their shopping at TJ's, although you could if you want. Lund's is nice, a little more upscale than Rainbow or Cub, but still not too bad.

[Ben Around]

Originally Posted by DannyBanany

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll probably end up getting most of my stuff at Trader Joe's or Cub. If I have that hankering for FRESH produce, I'll hit up the Farmers' Market. I hear the one in downtown Minneapolis is great.

We don't have a TJ's here in Rapid City, but people I know compare it to Albertson's and Safeway so I'll be all set. I guess the thing I'll miss most about Safeway is the Club Card and the fuel discounts. Oh well....

How is Lund's too? Do most SuperTargets have good deals and quality? The Target here doesn't have groceries so I don't really know.

From one St. Paulite to another, welcome, Dan! I second the suggestion of Express Bike Shop. They have reasonably priced refurbished bikes. My daughter got a great retro Schwinn 10 speed for $115 there, all tuned up and ready to go.

I believe you told us you'll be living by Marshall and the River Blvd. That means you'll be about 1.5 miles from the Midtown Farmers Market on Lake St., easily drivable, busable or bikeable from your location. It's one of our favorites. It has the same fresh produce that the downtown farmers markets have, but on a smaller scale. We go there when we don't have as much time to browse. BTW, you are also just across the bridge from Longfellow Grill which has excellent, reasonable priced food and a nice outdoor patio, and adjacent is the Dunn Bros. coffee shop, a decent place to have a cup of coffee outside overlooking the river.

Lund's is good for selection, and quality of produce and meats, but expect to pay about 30% more for the same item as at Cub. RE: Super Targets, I don't think the one on Lake is a Super. But it is just across the parkig lot from Cub. If you are into food co-ops, there's one less than a mile from your location on Raymond Ave. It's called Hampden Pk. Never been there, have just driven by it often. The Seward co-op on Franklin in Mpls. isn't too far from you, either. RE: fuel discounts, Cub gives them with every purchase, redeemable at Holiday stations.

[DannyBanany]

Thanks! I'm definitely going to that bike shop! I hope I find a really nice commuter bike either there or online. Also, which banks are really good in the area? I do mine with a local bank here in Rapid City so I'd like to do one with a local bank up there. I'm not big on Wells Fargo or Bank of America. Smaller banks are nicer to do business with IMO.
Any suggestions?

[DannyBanany]

Well, I made it and I'm loving it so far! I had to put the bike on hiatus for a little bit because the move cost more than I thought. I went to Trader Joe's and I love it. Haven't made it to a farmers market yet but I intend to. I've had a couple job interviews and one looks really good, so I hope to hear back maybe later today. Just thought I'd fill you all in!