Years ago there were some stores called IGA Plus in Northern Kentucky and, yes, they truly deserved the PLUS label. I mean, these stores were huge and they had amenities like an in-store bank branch, a dry cleaner, and pizza kitchen. I have a soft spot for IGA because they are the scrappy independents and these northern Kentucky IGAs could stand toe-to-toe with any chain store (or so I thought, the IGA Pluses eventually closed down).
Anyway, I was intrigued and happy to see an IGA Plus in the tiny village of Georgetown, Ohio. I had visions of a gourmet pizza kitchen, an in-store bank branch, and more. But, no, that is not what I got. Honestly, I could never figure out why the IGA in Georgetown is called a "Plus." SIGH. I mean, as IGAs go it is OK, and I was thrilled to see it there, but, an IGA Plus? I left scratching my head...
Here are some scenes:
A decent selection of pies.
The produce section, at least on the day I was there, was pretty sparse.
Plenty of milk!
I have always been a big fan of the IGA labeled products, plenty of IGA tomato juice to be had.
A veritable shrine to Pepsi, this was clearly Pepsi country, my beloved Coke didn't have such a garish display.
I had never seen a white-icing Ding Dong!
SIGH, it was a decent IGA, but not like the IGA Pluses I had once been to......
Margaret Barszczyk
Hi Kevin,
Been following you for a while.
Just letting you know, that IGA sores are available in Australia, of course not as many as the chain style supermarkets and that KMart is thriving here.
Regards & Thanks
Maggie
Kevin Williams
Thanks, Maggie, those are additional reasons I need to go visit Australia! Thank you so much for reading me "Down Under", that is so cool to have readers that far away!
Lisa Marx
Hi Kevin,was just at a small town IGA,in South Charleston Ohio,they still have very good meat at a good price. I also love those Pearson choc. Buns with cream in the middle only place i can find them.....Love small grocery store. Our Kmart in Grove City ohio finally closed we miss it we'd drive 40 min. To get there..so sad.....
Kevin Williams
Good to know about the IGA in South C, and, yes, that Kmart in Grove City hung on for a long time, I was hoping it would continue to hang on, now there are none left in Ohio!
Betty Roland
Think you were a little hard on this IGA. Looks like a decent store to me. I like the simpler places. I am an old timer to your work. Always enjoy it.
Kevin Williams
Thanks, Betty, yeah, I mean, it was a decent IGA...I think my quibble was with it being called an IGA Plus, I was just expecting more...but, yes, sure, it was a decent store and I didn't meant to sound too hard on them!