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When Bob Ingles does the tv commercial with the shopper thanking Ingles for bringing selection to small town/rural areas, he speaks the truth.
Spend some time in the less affluent parts of WNC or North GA and you are likely to see that Ingles has heavily invested in the only supermarket in the area.
As an example: In Murphy, Ingles in early 2002, again invested in a new building. Supermarket-wise, you have the Super Wal-Mart and Ingles for your choice. I was always very satisifed with Ingles' cleanliness, selection and help. In addition, their yellow-containered milk will still be good for even a week after the expiration date. This comes from someone who used to milk dairy cows and Guernseys at that. Try that with your Kroger's or Publix milk - it will go sour before or at the expiration date.
If you live in Marshall, in Madison County, you can chose between Ingles and .... Oh, that's right, Ingles is the only supermarket who invested in Marshall and the whole of Madison county. And they did this years ago. Such that, when they built a near store across the street in Marshall, the old building became the county's administrative offices annex. Of course, the brand new Ingles on Leicester Highway in Leicester was usually closer, and again, the only supermarket until... that's right, the Ingles at Patton Avenue (much older and not on my favorites list.)
Move to Caldwell County and what do you have? A nice but older and relatively more expensive Lowes Food Market, and other older style, less selection stores. If you want the best in the area, go to the Baton area where once again, Bob Ingles put in a very nice store and has the lowest gas prices in all of western NC (when using the card.)
All of these stores have the unusual selections, such as fresh mangoes, most of which never are sold, or many other items with which there is not a large demand for, but are available at the Ingles. I guess this is part of the reason that Ingles is such a major contributor to Second Harvest.
So while Ingles does not have all of what I used to be able to get at Krogers, Big Stars, Harris Teeters, Fresh Markets, Publix, etc., when I lived near the "big cities," of the Triangle, Triad, or Atlanta, Bob Ingles has been committed to the less populated rural area around western NC.
Surely, that is worth something and for that I say: Thank you Bob Ingles, for bringing big city selection to rural NC!
WE live in Caldwell county and we have an Ingles 15 min away in Cajahs MT also two new Super Walmarts 10 miles apart. We can get to either in 10 min.
I do love Harris Tetters and that is not in Caldwell county but it is only 35 min away in Hickory. Between the Walmarts , Ingles and Harris Tetters all no more then 35 min away we are happy campers.
Thanks Mioke for your reply. I'm also interested in finding some farmers markets because I believe in supporting local farmers and this food can be even fresher than "organic" that came from farther away.
I'm also interested in finding some farmers markets because I believe in supporting local farmers and this food can be even fresher than "organic" that came from farther away.
lovesroses, Earth Fare is a big advocate for local agriculture and carries local produce and poultry. However, you'll find an abundance of farmers markets in and around the Asheville area. The state runs a huge one - the WNC Farmers Market, by the Moose Cafe, open daily year-round. There are numerous others, including some downtown co-ops, some seasonal, some year-round but open only on certain week-days.
Does anyone know if Whole Foods will be entering the Asheville market anytime soon?
Check page 2 of this thread. I have heard from reliable sources that Whole Foods will be trying to set up shop on the north end of town. My guess is to be near Reynolds Mountain and all of the other high-end communities in the North Asheville area.
Like some other posters above, I love the Publix stores I've been to in Al, Ga and Fl. Something about them is homey and makes me want to shop and spend more money there, especially in the bakery...Sounds like Ingles could use a little competition to shake things up.
Nearly took a job in Hendersonville several years ago - now live in Greenville, SC (just moved here from Chattanooga). We visit Asheville often.
It's amazing the difference in the quality/variety of grocery stores just one hour to the south of Asheville. Greenville has a multitude of Publix stores, one Whole Foods, several Earth Fares, Garner's, and Bloom. We do have a very occasional Ingles store here - but much less presence than in Asheville. There are no Harris Teeter's here (I love that store - nearly on par with the quality of a Publix). I know Asheville has a GreenLife grocery (its headquarters are in Chattanooga, amazing store with quality nearly equal to Whole Foods - the newly built flagship store in Chattanooga is incredible).
Now, if Publix ever decides to build in Asheville - Ingles should watch out!
(Oh, and don't expect a Whole Foods to be in just any area - I've only seen them in very upscale/high visibility/high traffic areas.)
Hubby has a business trip this week in Atlanta, GA. One day I want to go to Publix here and get a few things that I can't find in NC. I hope it is a newer store since the smaller ones I really don't like. (OT) Also going to Nordstrom since it is only a few blocks away.
I'm with you on Engles, the stores are filthy,high prices for there garbage food,and the help are no help at all. Bring on Publix.
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