Grocers - Not the big chains, not Wild Oats expensive (Franklin: live in, price)

[Big TR]

Well, my family is getting settled in Franklin after relocating from Chicago. We have found the Publix, the Super Target and the Wild Oats. My question is are there any local chains that are full-fledged grocery stores but come somewhere in between in terms of price and selection?

For example, we had this great family chain in Chicago called Cap.uto's with something like 4 locations. They sold excellent cuts of meat, have a great bakery and a solid deli/cheese counter. They cost more than Super Target, but didn't cause you to spend your entire paycheck getting good food like at Wild Oats.

[alleycat]

There used to be, but not so much anymore. H.G. Hill's was probably the best known of the local chains. They are getting out of the grocery store business however.

There's a store named Harris Teeter is some locations that people seem to like (I go to Publix myself). It's a national chain but apparently a different sort of chain.

You might like going to the Farmer's Market in Nashville. There's lot of produce, and there used to be a variety of stores inside. They were remodeling the inside the last time I was there so I'm not sure what's there now. I think there's some kind of farmer's market in Franklin, but I can't tell you where. Also around the area, there's some places were the local farmers just bring their stuff and sell it out of the bed of their pickup truck (generally on Friday). Out where I live in Bellevue they do that at St. Henry's Church on Friday mornings.

[Big TR]

Thanks alleycat.

We did go down to the farmers market in Nashville. There were about 5 vendors, but they were just selling the same out of season food that you can find in the grocery stores. I'm pretty sure there wasn't a farmer in the bunch.

We'll check out a Harris Teeter.

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by Big TR

Thanks alleycat.

We did go down to the farmers market in Nashville. There were about 5 vendors, but they were just selling the same out of season food that you can find in the grocery stores. I'm pretty sure there wasn't a farmer in the bunch.

We'll check out a Harris Teeter.

Yeah, at this time of year that's probably true. In the summer there are some locals there with fresher produce.

It really is a shame that some of the smaller markets are not around anymore, but I guess that's true of a lot of small stores generally in this "big box" age.

There might still be a Hill's in Franklin, I'm just not sure.

[hectorector]

Small mom n pop groceries are hard to come by in this area. If you are looking for specialty foods that are great quality but cheap on price try T.J. Maxx, Marshall's food section for non-perishable items. For your regular grocery store produce without the high price and big grocery store chain feel, try the mexican/international grocery stores. No Trader Joes yet, but Aldi and Save-A-Lot have come a long way since being introduced in this market. They carry good stuff for less as well. I'd also try Costco, for good quality items (bulk) at a good price, too. Hope this helps.