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Mostly one store. I have stop and shop by me and it has everything I need. On occasion I will go to a place called village meat market if I need a special cut of meat. I don't see the point of going to 2 more stores. But then again in NY and on LI there is a grocery store on just about every other block. I will maybe twice a year go to costco for Toilet paper and other supplies like that but not for food.
Mostly Meijer and Strack and Van Til (Northwest Indiana chain that is expanding into all of Chicagoland). Jewel not so much anymore since they closed the closest store. Strack and Van Til is a very nimble competitor that is on a big growing streak lately, though the local Jewel was probably done in by the Meijer across the street (frankly Meijer's service is better then both Jewel and Dominick's lately). Stack and Van Til's have far better service (and pricing) then either of the big 2 in the Chicago area. Dominick's is a shell of its former self.
It will be interesting how Jewel and Dominick's reacts. So far, not so well, both Jewel and Dominick's are at low points and are struggling to even stay in business. The entry of Meijer, Whole Foods and a few others to the Chicago area have taken big bites out of the big two. Strack and Van Til will likely replace Dominick's as the number two grocer in the Chicago area the way its going.
I have the luxury of many markets in a 10 mile radius. I usually shop at four on a regular basis. Being retired, I can shop for the sale items without having to travel a ridiculous distance to get the best deals.
I go to Aldi. Since they don't carry everything I need, I do fill in at Price Chopper, though they are pricey for the area, and right across the street is Gerrity's (a local chain) although I'm not crazy about their bakery, so I go to Wegman's (if you don't have one, I'm sorry for you) which is a limited chain out of N.Y.
They have a loaf of Italian bread that seldom makes it out of the parking lot whole. Lots of specialty items that could really blow the budget so I have to be careful.
Now from time to time, I may find myself in WalMart and rather than make another stop, I might pick up a can or bottle of something. But that's not a regular so I guess it doesn't count, does it?
Stop n Shop (my main store)
Key Food (for emergencies since it's close to home)
Trader Joe's
Asian market (mainly for seafood and vegetables)
Farmer's market
BJ's
I go to others regularly, but less than once a month.
1) Aldi - for staples, German specials, some produce specials, cookies and crackers.
2) Local independents - Joseph's Marketplace, Joe Caputos, Eurofresh - for meat, bakery, deli and produce.
3) Woodmans - for cheese, sausage, frozen foods, specialty foods.
4) Meijer - for some seafood.
5) Super H Mart - Korean specialties, seafood.
6) Mitsuwa Marketplace - some seafood, ground beef.
7) Mail order for coffee, Cajun specialties, some cheeses.
Seldom shop at Jewel or Dominicks. They are neither price or quality competitive.
I'll keep an eye out for Strack and Van Til, Rich. Never heard of it!
I should have mentioned their other brand Ultra Foods. I'm looking at their website and almost all of the new Illinois locations are Ultra's. Looks like they are in Wheaton, Lombard, Downers Grove, Forest Park, Hanover Park, Joliet, Kankakee, Calumet Park, Crestwood, one location in Chicago along with several south suburban locations they have had for years already. As Strack and Van Tils, they have another Chicago location and Plainfield. They took over many former Cub Food locations. Don't know why they are naming most of the Illinois locations Ultra's.
Most of my shopping is done at Shop-Rite and sometimes I stop at Pathmark,A & P and Stop and Shop for a few things.
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