Aldi Loved and Loathed

I have been following the controversy that has been created by Aldi's interest in opening shop at the new condo complex, The Clarovista (formerly, The Granville) and, I have to confess, just a few years ago, I might have been in the camp that's trying to keep the discount grocery chain out of Edgewater, thinking that it would only attract shoppers armed with food stamps.

I remember first setting foot in their location at N. California and W. Granville. I was very apprehensive as I saw shoppers inserting quarters into locks linking the shopping carts together and bagging their purchases, and I left with only a small quantity of items (I was basically 'kicking the tires' on my first Aldi experience).

After eating everything I had bought, I was so impressed with the quality that, I made Aldi my primary destination for groceries. I get my quarter back when I return my shopping cart and bagging my own groceries is kind of fun! Especially while observing parents enlist the help of their kids. At Aldi, bagging duties become a family project. Often, a shopper arriving at the store hands me the quarter he or she might have used to release a shopping cart. This scene is repeated quite frequently at Aldi.

And the food? Their frozen stir fry shrimp kit could rival many Chinese take-0uts! And frozen desserts (including my favourite, frozen glazed donuts I nuke in the microwave) are sinfully irresistable. On many trips, I have walked out of Aldi with four large bags of groceries...for UNDER $40! The same quantity bought at a traditional supermarket would cost over $100.

And, in this current economy, the demographics seem to have changed. In the store's parking lot I have seen clunkers sitting next to Acuras. There is also more foot traffic and the lines at the registers have gotten much longer. There used to be a sparse number of customers during the mornings and afternoons; not anymore. No matter what time of the day I shop at Aldi, the place is packed!

So, give Aldi a try. You might be pleasantly surprised, just like I was.

Edgewater & Rogers Park Grocers That Are Easier on Your Budget

ALDI

6220 N. CALIFORNIA

CHICAGO, IL 60659
or
4500 N. BROADWAY
CHICAGO, IL 60640

CITY FRESH MARKET

3201 W. DEVON AVE.
CHICAGO, IL 60659
773.681.8600

DEVON MARKET
1440 W DEVON AVE
CHICAGO, IL 60660

WORLD FRUIT MARKET

2434 W. DEVON AVE.
CHICAGO, IL 60659
773.508.0700

The Resurrection of West Ridge Dominick's

For months, since learning that the Dominick's in West Ridge would re-open, my enthusiasm was tempered by skepticism. There seemed to be no work activity at the site. Eventually, I resigned myself to the fact that, perhaps, re-opening plans had fallen through.

Now, all of a sudden, I see trucks and workers on the store premises. So it looks like it wasn't just rumors or empty promises, after all! Its revival would fill the enormous void that was created when the supermarket closed. I hope that it will open sooner rather than later, because I'm getting tired of shleping to the Dominick's on Broadway and Elmdale. (It's a particular challenge in nasty weather.)

Dangerous Rogers Park Intersections

Yesterday's incident involving a car hitting a school kid at Granville and Ridge (which is just a few steps from where I live), brought back flashbacks of when I was hit by a vehicle two years ago on 2 Feb., at the intersection of N. Western and W. Granville.

While crossing Western, I was hit by a car traveling East on Granville. As he made his turn South on Western, he struck me on my right knee and I went flying onto the ground. At least, the driver (possibly of Pakistani descent) stopped and helped me right myself. But he didn't utter a single word of apology. I sustained a small (but VERY PAINFUL) fracture and, for three weeks, hobbled around in deep snow. On crutches! I might as well have been climbing Mount Everest when I boarded and exited CTA buses. The pain was unbelievable!

I emailed Bernard Stone's office about my accident, and told them to consider putting a red light camera at that intersection. The response? "A camera isn't necessary." So that was the end of that conversation. I suppose that something will be done...AFTER a pedestrian is KILLED!