Come on, Chattanooga. Just when things are starting to look up in the world of grocery shopping in Chattanooga, a group of people are filing lawsuits and attempting to send us back into the continuing nightmare of BI-LO as the only full-service (I use those words loosely) grocery chain in town.
Our grocery shopping choices now include so-so produce, no customer service and limited selection. At least with Wal-Mart, the prices are reasonable. You can't get that at BI-LO unless you sign up for that ridiculous card.
I do not believe Publix uses any "advantage" card system. I know Publix won't be the least expensive store to buy your groceries. I will shop there for the better produce, cleaner store, better customer service and improved selection.
Come on people, broaden your horizons. There is more to life and grocery shopping then BI-LO.
Chris Bertani
Ooltewah
cpbertani@yahoo.com
* * *
As a relative newcomer to Chattanooga, one of the biggest disappointments has been the selection of food at the various supermarkets in town. The current selection in Chattanooga and the surrounding communities ranges from mediocre to poor.
My wife and I shop at Publix whenever we visit family in the Atlanta metro area, and we have always been impressed with the cleanliness and selection offered at their various stores.
Hopefully, Publix will be opening several stores in Chattanooga in 2008. Between new Publix stores and the newly expanded Greenlife planned for Manufacturers Road, that is a very positive step in the right direction.
What Chattanooga needs is more competition among food providers. Not less or the status quo.
Jeffrey Hunter
Signal Mountain
goodhunt@comcast.net