Hello Safeway, Goodbye Giant!

I've been taking a long vacation from posting on this blog--for various reasons--but thought I might just take it up again.

It's nice to be able to pick up again on a positive note, namely the opening of the new Safeway store at City Vista at NY and 5th. I went over there around noon today and was truly wowed. What a fantastic addition to the neighborhood, and what a change from what we've been stuck with at our sadsack Giant.

I was a bit concerned that it would just be a limited store focusing on high-end "gourmet" items for non-cooking apartment dwellers, but it is anything but that. First of all, the place is HUGE! It has everything you could possibly want no matter what your tastes. The produce section is very extensive and attractive, and the deli shop and prepared food sections will be giving Whole Foods a run for their money.

Best of all, the employees seem excited and happy to be there and appear to understand the concept of customer service, unlike so many at the Giant who apparently think that giving the customers a little attitude is part of the job description. And it didn't take me 45 minutes to check out!

Let's see if Giant has an answer when the new O Street Market goes up. In the meantime, Safeway will be getting my grocery dollar.