Different Supermarkets
Our Canadian markets are different from American ones and I follow the posts concerning your favourite grocery choices. We go to the Charleston, S.C., area once or twice a year. I have established that there is no Trader Joe's nor Whole Foods in that location. However, there is a beautiful grocery market on the way to Folly Beach called, "Earth Fare." Are any of you familiar with Earth Fare and can you tell me if it is similar to a Trader Joe's? I know they have a Publix and a Wegman's, both of which I have read about on this site and will check out this trip. I know it sounds a bit crazy to visit supermarkets on a trip to the beach, but there is usually a rainy day and I enjoy looking at differents products.
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11 Comments:
I completely understand your curiosity! I looked up Earth Fare and apparently there is one here in Raleigh but it's clear across town from where we live, not particularly convenient so I have to settle for the ones closer and they consist of Lowe's Foods and Food Lion. Lowe's is a major step up from the Food Lion and I tend to shop there more often. We also have a couple Trader Joe's but they are also clear across town (maybe I moved to the "wrong" side of town?? ; )
I still find myself going to our local fishmonger for fish and Costco for meats and cheeses. I also really liked Publix when we lived in Nashville. They were always extremely friendly and very helpful. I do miss my HEB in TX but you do what you gotta do! Thanks for the heads up on Earth Fare...I will check it out sometime.
arm1970 at 4:10PM on 05/31/09
There is no Wegmans below Virginia at this time. If you mean on the trip down, yea I would stop.
http://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreLocatorView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10002&langId=-1
for locating a Wegmans.
JerzeeTomato at 4:13PM on 05/31/09
Don't know your route, but you may pass several Trader Joe's if you go through NJ on your way south. They have a web site with a list of locations. A GPS unit will get you anywhere you want to go.
dmcavanagh at 7:10PM on 05/31/09
If you type the address of where you'll be in google and click on "maps" at the top of the page it will show you a map of where you'll be. There's an option then to "search nearby" and you can type in "grocery" or whatever you're looking for and it'll give you a list of places and distances from where you'll be. You can click on the one you want and get directions from the starting location.
gingercookiewithlime at 7:15PM on 05/31/09
You're not odd at all. We love visiting grocery stores, both in domestic and international travel. Yes, Wegman's is a must, and do appreciate your opportunity to have President's Choice stuff, which is far superior to much of what we can get here. Loblaw owned a chain here around St. Louis about 20 years ago, and we had a brief while when we could get it. I am convinced the newsletter they wrote was the predecessor to Trader Joe's Fearless Flyer - much the same in layout, content and attitude. And do not miss Wegman's.
lemons at 8:36PM on 05/31/09
I've been to the Earth Fare in Raleigh. It's closer to a Whole Foods or a Fresh Market than to a Trader Joe's, as it carries national brand organic stuff and it's on the pricier side.
I do have fond memories of being given free cookies at Publix on family trips to Florida when I was a kid, which gets them some brownie points (or is that cookie points?) in my book.
QueenHerm at 10:24PM on 05/31/09
While Earth Fare is similar to Whole Foods, they're so much better. I visit my local one in Ashevlle and love it! They have an extensive list of banned ingredients so you know that you're always getting what's best for you. For example, none of their foods have high fructose corn syrup, which is awesome. Plus, I love their organic selection. Whole Foods has become so commercialized that I find it hard to obtain quality items there. I never have a problem like that a Earth Fare. If you're interested, you should definitley read their food philosophy: http://www.earthfare.com/cgi-bin/customize?philosophy.html.
mistyeyed at 1:03PM on 06/01/09
@mistyeyed, thank you for your website and excellent information - I visited Earth Fare last trip and was very impressed, but I am feeling myr way around still, and I couldn't figure out where Earth Fare "fit" within the descriptions of various posters -@JerzeeTomato - thank you for the info re: Wegman's. You are right, of course, there is no Wegman's in Charleston (I must have been confused) - We travel straight down I-75 and head East on 1-40 at Knoxville. Unfortunately, OH is probably NOT interested in making detours along the way to view supermarkets, so I have to be content with what there is to offer in Charleston!
I have also been interested in another thread concerning regional fast food. There is a Bojangles, Chick-fil-a, Sonic & Zaxby's in the area, none of which we ever thought to visit, but perhaps we will this trip because of some of the recommendations by SE readers.
We like to eat locally at seafood places and small privately owned restaurants, but fast food is good to know about and we do rent a self contained unit and have access to a kitchen, so we shop for breakfasts, lunches and some suppers.
bareneed at 3:06PM on 06/01/09
Instead of going to fast food places you should check out roadfood.com You will find all the information you need (and more) on the site on local places to eat.
xwafflesx at 7:10PM on 06/01/09
@xwafflesx, thanks for the site - I tried it and right on the first page there was some information about Charleston eateries - however, when I tried to join up, I wasn't allowed because I am Canadian - it is so irritating how many times that happens with interesting sites.
bareneed at 11:04AM on 06/02/09
Is there a Harris Teeter nearby? They are all over Wilmington NC. My Grandaughter was so enthralled with Harris Teeter she drew pictures of them when she came back and I had to explain what Harris Teeter was. {Ok, I just googled there are Harris Teeters in Charleston SC area). There are average HT's and awesome HT's so I don't know what you'll find, but that is where we shop in the south. Food Lion is ICK!
They have a VIC (Valued Important Customer) card that I sign up for as that is where we shop when we go down, so if you actually BUY a substantial amount when you go, get a card and save some $$.
TeriN at 11:57AM on 06/02/09