Asia at Assi Plaza
Oh boy, do I have a new favorite store!
Since moving east lo these many years ago, I have had a hellava time finding ethnic groceries. Things are so white-bread out here on "The Main Line" that I couldn't even find chipotles in adobo until last year! I have to drive to Wegmans to get Sambal Oelek. It's pretty sad.
I've been having Lumpia withdrawal for quite a while, now. Once upon a time, a woman named Abundia who I worked with at UCSF kept me supplied. But that's been 10 years... Finally, I asked a woman I work with who is Filipina where she got hers. Her answer?!? Assi!
It's about a 35 minute drive - without a lot of traffic - but WOW! What fun! It was just like being back home!
Miles of aisles of fun exotic foods that you're just not going to find at the local A&P. Or Wegmans. Or Acme. Or anywhere else! I was like a kid in a candy shop, looking at every item, trying to decipher labels, and just overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and scents. And actually hearing Chinese spoken. It was great.
I went a little crazy.
I bought two types of Lumpia, three types of pork buns, vegetable buns, potstickers, noodles, won ton wrappers, rice dumplings, and even banana leaves! And that was just the frozen aisle!
And I got teas, and sauces, rice cooking wine, mirin, coconut vinegar (I mean, when was the last time you had coconut vinegar, eh?!?) And something I had never seen before - corn noodles. I am just psyched.
I also picked up fresh vegetables and a bunch of meats - and two salmon steaks that were just perfect. You'll see them tomorrow when we have them for dinner! Presentations and quality were unsurpassed.
Tonight, we steamed buns,
baked off pork buns,
and I got my Lumpia fix. And potstickers, to boot!
It's a little too far and a little too specialized to be a regular shopping haunt, but it's definitely going to be a quarterly trek! My stomach is smiling, the cabinets and freezer are full.
Life is good!
A Cookout in a Salad
- 1 bag Penne Pasta
- 1 can Black Beans
- 1 bag Corn
- 1 pkg Top Sirloin Roast
- 1 btl Steak Sauce
- 1 ctn Light Sour Cream
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Add corn to pasta water at last minute to thaw. Drain and cool. Slice beef to desired size and shape. Place in bowl and add remaining ingredients. Test for salt and pepper.
Dinner in a Bookstore in DuPont Circle
When we were in Washington last month, we happened upon a great little restaurant in DuPont Circle - inside of a book store! We had a cute-as-a-button waiter, and even more importantly - fantastic food. They did some flavor combinations and plate presentations that were simply stupendous.
We decided this trip we would check it out, again.
As we walked up through the book store to the restaurant, our waiter spied us. A couple minutes of bantering back and forth, and we were being led upstairs to a table in his section. It was promising to be another fun meal.
Cocktails ordered, it was time to seriously check out the menu.
What to have, what to have...
The menu is pretty extensive and varied. Lots of regular items and lots of weekly specials. We saw the items we had last time - lobsters, crab cakes - and this fantastic corn and lima bean sucotash - but opted for new and different.
Victor went for a sushi-grade rare tuna with a wasabi dipping sauce that was out of this world. I had a scallop dish with a honey sauce that simply rocked.
What was really fun was the side...
That tower is white rice, spinach, more rice, roasted red peppers, more rice, pickled ginger and a seaweed salad, cucumbers and caviar. Unbelievable.
More fun conversation with our waiter - he's straight, but knows how to play his customers... He also lived for a while at Lake Tahoe, so we had a lot of fun conversations about that (alas, he was all of 2 years old when I LEFT Tahoe in 1980) but we had fun, nonetheless...
We decided we'd go for dessert - since it's our anniversary, and The Dysfunctional Family Sundae was recommended.
A warm brownie drenched in liqueur, topped with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, cndied walnuts, raspberry puree, hot fudge... OMG!
We ate the whole damned thing!
We really had a fun time - and know next time we're in DC, we'll head back for more.
Kramerbooks and Afterwards Cafe
1517 Connecticut Avenue, NW. - Just Above Dupont Circle
In The Heart of Washington, D.C.
Across from The Dupont Circle 'Q' St Metro Exit
Open Early to Late 7 Days a Week - All Night Fri & Sat
Serving Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner - Late Supper and Brunch on Weekends
Live Music Wed - Sat Night
Serving Latte to the Literati Since 1976
A Smithsonian Luncheon
We were out museum-hopping today in Washington, DC. The Sunday before Thanksgiving seems to be a perfect time to visit... The crowds are definitely elsewhere!
We were at the National Museum of American History lusting after Julia Child's kitchen
when we decided to get lunch... The Constitution Cafe or the Stars and Stripes Cafe?!? Decisions, decisions... We opted for the Stars and Stripes.
$34.48 later, we had 2 cheeseburgers, 2 fried cheese curds, 2 bags of chips, a coffee, and a soda. This is how they keep the museums free - over-charging in the eateries.
The food was okay and the service what one would expect from folks who have to deal with the general public all day long. It was just expensive for what it was. Oh well... everything else is free...
So it's four museums later and time for a bit of a rest before heading out again tonight. We did see a lot and did a lot of walking. Good for working off the fried cheese curds!
I think we'll be traveling back to DuPont Circle and to the bookshop cafe where we had dinner last month.
Tomorrow is Ford's Theatre and A Christmas Carol.
Oh... and when we were checking in and chatting with the Front Desk clerk, I casually mentioned it was our 15th Anniversary. We were upgraded to a king suite.
What fun!
Cranberries, Cookbooks, and Lots of Meals
I have not been making time to be here the past few days. I've been cooking - and even taking pictures - but I haven't sat down here long enough to say anything about any of it. Shame on me.
It's time to play ketchup. Er... catsup. Uh... Catch-up.
The most fun item is a new cookbook from Guam! Our sister-in-law's nephew Jay sent it to us and I am just psyched! The book is Guam Super Cookbook and it is going to become a staple in the kitchen right away! It is just way too much fun!
I absolutely love cookbooks written by home cooks and other real people. These are the recipes passed down from generation to generation; family traditions or just good food made with local ingredients. (And we still have some Guamanian Boonie Pepper!) Food is the great equalizer, and to me, this is how one really learns about another culture. I plan on being a very good student!
This is from the cookbook website:
Inside the Guam Super Cookbook you will find a culmination of all-time favorite local recipes from generations ago. Plus, a world of tempting recipes submitted by many island residents wanting to share priceless recipes that have worked for them and recipes that have been passed onto them. From daring "pika" shrimp kelaguén just oozing with island fresh coconut and dripping in lemon juice, to an irresistible and scrumptious black magic cake all made from scratch, or let your taste buds take an exciting adventure with an awesome Greek salad. You too can enjoy all the flavors of what´s cooking all across Guam´s kitchens with easy-to-follow recipes when you want it at home, and much more.
Also, discover an array of hard-to-believe healthy choice recipes. Recipes designed by the University of Guam, Cooperative Extension Service, College of Natural and Applied Sciences in conjunction with increasing efforts to help prevent and combat health risks associated with diabetes. Try the mouth-watering oyster and chicken with broccoli, or a local lip-smacking favorite - eggplant in coconut milk and many other incredibly tasty dishes. It´s absolutely delicious you´ll wonder how it all could still be good for you, so go ahead and dig in!
There's over 100 recipes that are just calling my name! I see a lot of fun dinners in our future!
Si Yu'us Ma'ase, Jay!
It was also time to make some cranberry sauces for Thursday. We're heading to DC in the morning for a quick 15th Anniversary trip (A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theatre on Monday!) and then it's work Tuesday and Wednesday. Not a lot of time to do anything...
Fortunately, Cranberry Sauce is THE easiest thing in the word to make. 1 bag cranberries, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water. That's the basic and it's pretty good just like that.
Of course, I had to tweak things just a bit. I added a diced apple and a quarter-cup of grenadine liqueur to the pot for one batch, and for the second, a container of blackberries and some port.
Both of them came out fantastic. Here are some other cranberry sauce recipes we've come up with in the past. Try several of them!
And, finally, here are a couple of pictures of the last couple of nights dinners...
First was a Chicken Sofrito and Rice casserole.
I cooked up whole grain brown rice, and while that was simmering, I cut up a chicken breast, sauteed it, added a jar of Sofrito sauce, half a container of cherry tomatoes, and a small can of sliced black olives.
I stirred in the cooked rice, then added some cubes of cheese. Into the oven for about 20 minutes. Delish!
And what's better than homemade oven-baked French Fries?!? Why... serving them with a chicken and bacon sandwich!
The next couple of days will be restaurant meals. I'm sure we'll be heading back to DuPont Circle and the bookstore restaurant for at least one meal...
And then it's Thanksgiving!
There's A New Wegmans in Collegeville!
Armed with my shoppers card and coupon book full of free things if I spend at least $10.00, I'm off to the brand-new Wegmans 11 miles away from us.
I realize that 11 miles is nothing to the vast majority of the world, but considering I'm 2 miles from work, 2.5 miles from my normal shopping place and only 3 miles to Victor's mom's house, my travel-triangle is pretty small. (It's even past the Lowes and Target I never go to because they're so far away!)
But for groceries, I will make the sacrifice! (I traveled 8 miles yesterday to the Mexican/Italian produce place!)
I've pretty much lost faith with my old friend PathMark (nee SuperFresh). Their prices continue to rise and the employees continue to ignore me as I walk down the aisles. I'm the invisible shopper. I'm not looking for conversation, I'm not looking for a boisterous greeting - I'm looking for simple eye-contact and a half-smile. The tiniest bit of recognition that I'm a customer in the store.
You can't accomplish that, you don't deserve my hard-earned money.
To be fair, there are a couple of women there who go out of their way to say hi, but the majority of employees don't look up and don't say a word.
So... I'm off to the netherlands of formerly-farm Pennsylvania. I've made a list of things I know we need (and things we DON'T need!!!) and have debit card in hand. The goal is to keep this trip under $200.00.
++++++++++++++++++++
I went, I saw, I shopped! And had a good time doing it!
My main goal this trip really was to see if it was quick enough to make this my weekly grocery store. The Downingtown store is just a tad too far for a weekly trek, and as I mentioned, I'm no longer enthralled with PathMark. (I gave them my best shot - they just didn't reciprocate!) The only other store I've ever liked around here was Geunardi's in St Davids - but they went to hell after being bought by Safeway.
I'm thinkin' they did it!
I think the biggest thing one hears about Wegmans is that they're expensive. Well... one can spend a lot of money there, but in and of itself that doesn't make them expensive - it means they have lots of things you want to buy! It also means you need to have a bit of shopping savvy. If you shop any store regularly, you learn what to buy and when.
I had nothing pressing. I could take my time. I crossed to the far end of the store and started my shopping trek in the grocery section. We needed staples in the house after not doing any major shopping for a couple of weeks. Canned beans were 59¢. 10 pound sugar, $4.79. Good prices.
I wandered and meandered and started filling up the cart. Cybil needed dog food, so I thought I would see how she likes the Wegman kibble - 17.6 pounds for $8.25. I did a good read of the label and the ingredients look good. Can't say the same for Wegmans ketchup. High fructose corn syrup in a few too many products. Sorry, I don't care what the commercials say, the stuff is poison. I won't allow it in my home.
I also purposely didn't go into the center of the store where they have the most fantastic plates, platters, cookware and gadgets. I ran into one employee over at the cheese section who told me about some absolutely wonderful Italian ware that had me drooling. But I resisted. That trip is for another day.
Let's talk cheese.
It doesn't get much better than this. If it can be imported into the states, it can probably be found here. The selection is remarkable.
This is an area where one can get in trouble if one is like me. I like my cheese. I like all types of cheese, I like stinky cheeses, hard cheeses, soft cheeses, spreadable cheeses, Italian cheeses, French cheeses, Swiss cheeses - and everything in between. It's really easy to go overboard. Moderation is not always in my vocabulary, either. On the plus side, there are plenty of folks available to answer questions and cut cheeses to your specifications.
Besides having everything under the sun, Wegmans is a master at merchandising and display.
The food is presented in such a way that one just has to buy it. I really practiced restraint. It was a restraint born out of experience. There are only so many meals in a week and we're both still working towards losing weight. I just can't justify buying everything - regardless of how much I want to. Besides, I have to save something for next weeks trip!
Having said that, I had to get *real* deli skin-on hot dogs. I can't abide those mushy vacuum-packed national brands. I want my dogs to pop when I bite into them. (I had one for lunch. It rocked!)
Were I not a cook, I'd be going crazy here. The whole entire "food court" is one fabulous display after another. The food is just beautiful, and presented beautifully. I got more ideas just walking up and down the aisle. People eat with their eyes, and it's a good thing I can't gain weight looking! It's just remarkable to see.
And being a cook, half the fun of eating is the creation of the meal. Not so for most of the population. This place is for them. Seriously.
And the seafood...
Fish scares so many people. It doesn't have to. And here's proof.
It can be overwhelming.
I've shopped with Wegmans semi-regularly since they opened in Downingtown, and friends took us to dinner at Tastings, the fantastic restaurant attached to the mother-ship store in Rochester. I've worked in 5-star hotels and have been in the food business in one form or another for close to 50 years. It can still be overwhelming. So many choices, so little refrigeration space at home!
One way to save money and to have a bit of fun in the kitchen is to buy things like a whole pork loin. That 8.5 pounds of pork - in mere minutes - became a roast for tonight's dinner (that I will cook with onions and apples) and 10 thick-cut pork chops for later. I cut them thick enough to stuff or maybe do something fancy like those gorgeous pictures up there.
It cost $14.06 and there was no waste.
I also spent less than $18.00 for all of this chicken. Portioned, into FoodSaver bags and into the freezer.
Smart shopping and a sharp knife help balance out the impulse buys and keeps the total bill in check.
I took what should have been some beautiful pictures of the breads and bakery area, but... they didn't come out. Needless to say, it's pretty impressive. From basic breads to fabulous desserts, they have it all.
And the same with the produce. Not a lot of pictures, but lots of really fresh stuff.
The produce prices were high, compared to Gentile's in Newtown Square where I normally buy my produce, but the quality looked excellent, and the displays - like everything else - were great. One thing I really like at Wegmans is the bag-and-price kiosks (or whatever they're called). Put the produce on the scale, punch in the PLU and it gives you the price and prints out the price label. No sticker-shock surprises at the register!
I wandered the store for about 90 minutes but this trip stayed out of the Market Grill and the Pub, didn't buy sushi, and didn't get any Chinese food from the buffet. I need to save that for another trip when I can spend a bit of time there.
Actually, I need to make it a trip with Victor and we can eat and then spend time looking at the Italian cookware and pottery!
All in all, it was an excellent trip. I bought 10 bags of groceries (using my reusable shopping bags) and spent :::drum roll, please::: $163.17! Well below my self-imposed limit of $200.00!
Actually, it would have been a few dollars cheaper, but I forgot to give the cashier the coupons for the free apple juice ($1.89) the frozen mixed vegetables (89¢) and the free shopping bag (99¢).
Oh well.
We're Ba-a-a-a-a-ack.....
Seattle
We started our 8-day food-fest with our friends Bonnie and Nancy in Seattle. We stopped off and got Philly Cheesesteaks at an Italian deli on the way home from the airport. After the airline boxed breakfast, we needed a bit of sustinance.
First night at their home was a grilled tri-tip and grilled salmon. A really good homemade potato salad and really fresh corn on the cob. This is the kind of food you can't get at a restaurant. Dinner was perfect, the weather was perfect, the company was perfect. We ate on the deck, and just laughed and talked till the wee hours. The perfect way to start a vacation!
The following morning, we took the new light rail and headed into town.
We headed into Pike Place Market, and after wandering a bit, decided to do lunch before spending lots of money elsewhere.
We went to a Bolivian restaurant where I had a really good shredded flank steak salad. (I was still pretending that I was going to stick to the diet at this point...) Victor and Bonnie both had cans of what we affectionately termed Llama Tinkle. A really gawd-awful "Golden Cola" from Peru or whatever. It sucked. Oh well... It looked pretty...
We headed into the market and just wandered around. I hadn't been down there in probably 20 years or more. It hasn't changed much. Fortunately.
Still miles of fresh produce...
and, of course, fish.....
We bought t-shirts, went to Sur La Table and had lots of fun things shipped home, and generally, just had fun.
Then we went out to dinner.
We went to a local Italian restaurant in Burien that was really out of this world. Bistro Baffi - it was great food, excellent service (cute Italian waiters!!!) and just a lot of fun. The weather was perfect, we ate outdoors, and just had a blast.
A plate of focaccia and an olive oil and balsamic dip started us out...
I started off with a Pear and Gorgonzola Salad with Candied Pecans and a Champagne Vinaigrette. I ate every bite.
And then a Salmon Risotto that was to die for! It had a spicy red creamy sauce that was excellent. Salmon. Seattle. Had to do it. And I'm glad I did!
Victor had a similar risotto with shrimp.
Bonnie went for the lasagne - enough for several meals -
And Nancy chose the (I think) Chicken Parmesan. Another huge portion.
We split two desserts.
The first was a Lemon Gelatto with White Chocolate that was out of this world! It looked like hard boiled eggs and tasted like heaven.
And a Tiramisu that one just doesn't get outside of Italy. It was a real surprise.
It was at this point I realized my diet was going to go to hell for the next few days.
I decided to go with the flow.
Tomorrow... Portland!
The Last Supper
It's the last dinner at home for a while...
We're headed off to Seattle in the wee hours of the morning, and then to Portland Thursday morning.
I am really looking forward to seeing friends and family - I am NOT looking forward to going to the @#!$%& airport and dealing with the @#!$%& airlines and the @#!$%& "security" and the whole degradation that is flying, today. Unfortunately, I actually can remember when flying meant getting dressed up, seats were comfortable and roomy - in coach - and reasonably nice food was served - also in coach - on china. AND it was included in the price of the ticket - along with a smiling flight attendant.
Oh well... I did spring for non-stop tickets. That will take part of the pain away...
I'm not bringing a computer with me - this is a real vacation - so I probably won't be back here until the 18th or so. But I do plan on taking LOTS of pictures!
See ya in a week!
For Manny
It's been a long day... It started about 12:30am when we got the call from our dear friend, Dorrie, that her father, Manny, had passed away. It wasn't unexpected but it's still a shock and a loss. He was 84. It was also a bit of a surprise to realize he was younger than I am right now when we first met almost 29 years ago. And less than 2 weeks before the 1 year anniversary of my father's death.
The two of them were a lot alike - especially in their last years. Neither could get over the fact that they had lost their best girlfriends (of more than 50 years) before them, and neither of them ever quite adjusted to living without them.
I'm heading to Boston on Thursday to say my last goodbye in person, although it's not really "goodbye". I'll carry a little spark of him with me, just as I carry my mom and dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends - all of those people who have been a part of my life.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Heartaches and memories.
I have so many of both.....
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Manuel Manny Medeiros was a first generaton Portuguese-American gentleman born from a mother who hailed from the Portuguese mainland- The Old Country- and a father born on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores. He was the husband of the late Beatrice Louise (Russell) Medeiros.
Manny spoke only Portuguese up until five years of age. Upon entering school his mother announced from now on we only speak English in this household-you are to teach me English and so he did. Manny had many fond memories of growing up on Dennis and Fulton Streets in Peabody, MA during the heart of the depression.
Manny enlisted in the Navy during World War II as a radio man on the PT Boat Chow Down thus becoming a member of The Greatest Generation. He served in both the Pacific Theater (Phillipines) and in the Atlantic Theater (Mediterranean). His proudest moment of service was taking part in the liberation of Australian nationals from a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp.
When Manny returned from the war he became a founding member of the Portuguese American War Veteran's Post #1 located in Peabody, MA. It was here that he courted and married Beatrice Russell, after meeting her on a blind date arranged by their mothers. They soon settled in Hamilton where they raised three children, often waltzing in the kitchen to their personal theme song Spanish Eyes. During his later years he enjoyed walking his grandson, Jordan Kimkaran, to school.
For many years Manny and his wife belonged to the square dance clubs The Shindiggers from Wenham and The Riverside Squares from Danvers, MA.
Manny was always active and worked for over 45 years at the Sylvania Plant-Lighting Division on Loring Avenue in Salem as a machinist and became a member of their Quarter Century Club. Upon retirement, Manny worked at the Peabody Essex Museum, , the North Shore Mall , and at Rich's Department Store as a Security Guard. He enjoyed over twenty year of official retirement with his beloved wife Bea in their home in Hamilton.
A man's man, a true gentleman, a terrific dancer and beloved father. We will always love you and will always miss you, dear ol' Dad.
Mr. Medeiros is survived by a daughter, Dorrie L. Kimkaran of Hamilton, two sons and their spouses, David W. and Lina Medereiros of Cascais, Portugal and Darren and Jane Medeiros of Pleasanton, CA; seven grandchildren, Ann, Jessica, Elaine, Lillian, Vasco and Amalia Medeiros and Jordan Kimkaran. He was predeceased by two sisters, Dorothy and Margarita Medeiros.
Missed Dinner
We were supposed to meet Kate and Lori in Chicago for Thanksgiving Dinner. That isn't happening. Fortunately, it wasn't a fatality with the woman in Iowa, but it has screwed up a lot of plans. Amtrak is doing everything they can to make connections. We shall see.
In the meantime, we're in our room watching movies.
We had passed on lunch, thinking we would be eating with Kate and Lori. Fortunately, we have more snacks than you can even begin to imagine... We shall not starve.
And... we finally got moving... We've crossed the mighty Mississippi.
As it appears right now, we'll make our connection - barely. Time for a few more movies.
Back to Big Joe's
After a simple breakfast in our room - fresh bakery panettone from Pat and Christi - we headed back out to Big Joe's for burgers. Tradition, again. I have to have at least one burger there, every time I come home.
Burgers are judged by how many napkins it takes to get through one. Today's burger was a seven napkin delight.
I ordered the Joe's burger. It is a full half-pound of ground beef on a toasted bun with crisp iceberg lettuce, thick slices of tomato, half an avocado, slices of thick bacon, and jack cheese with pickles, carrot spears, and a huge mound of crisp - and hot - french fries.
I did not clean my plate. I just couldn't, although I gave it my best shot.
Victor went for the Patty Melt. Another half-pound burger with swiss cheese and the most fantastic thick slices of fried onions. He gave it that old college try, too - but it was just too much to finish.
This may be our last Joe's visit. After today, there's just too many of us to fit in there. Eileen made reservations for 30 of us for dinner at Celia's tomorrow night. And there's going to be even more at her house on Sunday... Then again... there's always Monday morning...
We stopped off earlier and picked up a bunch of wine and vodka for Sunday's festivities. This group likes to have a cocktail or two.....
And tonight we're off to Concord for dinner at Rich's. Thank goodness we can take BART.
Tomorrow morning is back across the bridge to San Ramon.
Getting married would have been so much easier.....
And while I'm at it... Here are the cookies Christi and Pat gave us. We ate the panettone before I could get the camera out...
They're from Dianda's Italian American Pastry Co., 2883 Mission Street between 24th & 25th.
Sooooooooo good. Really, really good.
They Re-Branded My Local Grocery
It started as a rumor about 6 months ago. The Super Fresh store where we've been shopping for the 7 years we've lived here was changing names. Well... that rumor is finally a reality as Super Fresh in Berwyn has completed its transformation to a Path Mark.
Not being a local boy, I didn't know that Super Fresh and Pathmark were all part of A&P. I've never shopped at an A&P, but the name is certainly famous. Where are A&P's anyway?!? Do they even exist anymore?!? But I digress...
The corporate office spent some big bucks on a complete transfomation of the store, from new lighting to new freezer and refrigerated cases, a completely new layout, new paint, new signs, new, new, new. And, in theory, lower prices.
I have to admit I like the new look. The store is brighter and it has a more visually appealing layout. There's a couple of things I probably would have done differently - like the shelves in the corner of the produce section where the flowers used to be. I doubt they will ever have anything in that corner that will entice me over there... But... overall, the place looks pretty good. I do have to question the decision to spend so much money rebranding the store, though. Do they really think they're going to be able to recoup it all?!?
I found the store almost by accident when we moved back here in early 2001. Driving around and getting lost everywhere I went, I tended to stay close to Lancaster Avenue. My first shopping was at the Acme in Strafford. What a dump. The store was dank and dirty, the staff rude. It sucked. Down the road was Fresh Fields. The store with attitude. I don't know who was worse - the employees or the customers. I made a bee-line for the door and didn't go back until they changed their name to Whole Foods. The first store in the area I found that I liked was Geunardi's in St David's. And in no time, Safeway bought them and they went to hell.
I hadn't really spent any time up around the shopping centers north of us. I didn't know the roads up that way, there was a lot of construction going on... But one day I was out exploring and I saw Super Fresh. I went in and immediately liked the place. It seemed new, the employees were reasonably friendly, the prices seemed reasonable... I started shopping there regularly.
Over the years the Acme in Strafford has been remodelled (it still sucks) Geunardi's has tried to woo back its lost customers from the botched Safeway takeover (it hasn't worked for me...) and a new Wegman's has opened not that far away (too far for weekly shopping, though.)
And Super Fresh has kept pace, as well. It's had it's new floors and paint, new uniforms for the staff... But evidently, it hasn't been enough to bring in the shoppers. I think it has more to do with location than anything else... The whole shopping area is in trouble. Linen's & Things at one end is closing down, Oskar Huber - a huge furniture anchor store is closing down. Circuit City - another anchor - has just filed for bancruptcy and will surely be closing soon... It's just a lousy location.
Which really is too bad. I like the store, and I really like the employees there. I like walking in and having people say HI to me. I like being able to chat with the folks. And I like their products.
The writing is probably on the wall for them, too. I imagine they will have to see a significant increase in their numbers or they will be closing down, too.
Here's hoping they stick around.