Reasonal priced grocery stores - Olympia and Lacey (Seattle, Tacoma: for sale, co-op)

[Annabelle5]

Hi I recently moved to Lacey, Olympia area and am wondering what the best place to buy groceries is. I tried QFC (expensive) and a local Safeway which also seemed too expensive, plus the employees were all asking to help me, like they were so desperate to get my business there.

Is Albertson's a better place. Or are there any suggestions. I don't care about how pretty everything looks, I just want basics.

Side note - I tried going to some sandy beaches around the area, and it is all private property. The only beaches are the State Parks, and there you get about 1 block of beachfront. Kind of discouraging.

Thanks for any help. Ann

[applepine]

I've never much paid attention to one store versus another but you could also try Top Foods and Fred Meyer. I hear Grocery Outlet has great deals but I've never actually been in one to confirm or deny. Hope one of these helps.

[Sandy Nelson]

I shop at Costco and go to Safeway for occasional grocery items. My favorite grocery store is Trader Joe's, but the nearest one is in University Place.

Sandy

[Ira500]

I think there's a Grocery Outlet Store somewhere on the Westside of Olympia...Harrison Street? I've been to their Seattle and Burien stores, and while they don't have a complete selection of everything, they do have low prices.

[allforcats]

Originally Posted by Annabelle5

I tried QFC (expensive)

And Quality Food Centers stands for excellent quality, especially in produce, fresh seafoods and fresh meats. Something to remember. Excellent quality.

a local Safeway which also seemed too expensive, plus the employees were all asking to help me, like they were so desperate to get my business there.

Safeway is a lower-priced choice in western Washington.
The greetings are a new, temporary Safeway policy everywhere; they're definitely not desperate. I always pretend I'm deaf and don't even look at the greeters, so the voice just floats past me.

Is Albertson's a better place.

My experience and that of some friends with Albertson's over the years is that we would never buy their produce, fresh seafoods or fresh meats...

[Annabelle5]

Thanks for adding your information. It helps. I just tried Costco and the prices are lower, but I don't need to buy bulk, the opposite. I went to Top Foods and though it looked more reasonably priced, I checked a few things from my Safeway receipt, and spices and cat food were more expensive, so looks don't matter there. Also you can check out your own items at Top Food, which was something I kind of liked, but no paper bags. Well the search continues.

Interesting to know about Safeway, regarding their greetings. I thought it might be a company policy. I am used to shopping at a place called Woodman's in Madison, Wisconsin, which is employee owned. It is a giant place with everything and always buzzing, so I was spoiled there. Also Madison has some Co-op food places, but I never went to those very often. Good speciality items though.

[springshades]

People say that Safeway is supposed to be more budget oriented, but generally it isn't. Unless your grocery list manages to match exactly with their best specials, they end up being extremely over priced compared to most stores and produce quality is terrible as well.

Fred Meyer and Top Foods are my favorite for overall decent prices, quality, and an enjoyable shopping experience. Walmart of course has good prices, but I can't get myself to go in one unless it is well before or after the crowds.

[seattlerain]

Kroger owns both Fred Meyer and QFC, so both of them have better selections, and better quality than Safeway, Albertson's, or Top Foods. Although, Top Foods has better quality, and a better selection than the other two chains.

[cobolt]

I think Fred Meyer's has the best for budget-minded people not wanting to skimp on quality. Trader Joes is good for a few things you can't find at Freds. I also think S&L Brothers (Tacoma Boys) sometimes has great deals on produce. I check them weekly for sales. Farmers markets are good too. I have nothing to do with Safeway and Albertsons and QFC is just too darned expensive.

[Annabelle5]

I tried Grocery Outlet and it works great for me. I only need a few groceries. Their prices are good, they have some unique items. The store was empty too. They don't have some items you need (I guess every week is different), but I can work around that. They are on Harrison St. Olympia.