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    Home » Everything Amish » Plain Culture

    Scrappy Stores

    Published: Oct 12, 2018 · Updated: Oct 12, 2018 by Kevin Williams | Leave a Comment

    By Kevin Williams

    For those of you who are on the Amish365 email list, you know that I was once in the grocery business.  It's too long of a story to get into in this post, but I spent years dabbling on the edges of it and during that time really developed an affinity for the industry, especially the little guys.  Problem is, there really aren't that many truly "Little Guys" left.  That's why I love IGA stores, really those are about as good as they get, but IGAs are gradually vanishing.

    Ruler Foods in Lima...SIGH, owed by giant grocer, Kroger

    Ruler Foods promises prices that measure up

    I spotted this"Ruler Foods" in Lima, Ohio the other day and thought I'd found a charming little chain, only to find out later that it is owned by Kroger.  SIGH.  At least Kroger generally buys smaller chains and lets them keep their old names and logos, etc.

    Chief Supermarket is another small grocery.  They are much closer to the type of store I like.  Although, geez, I'm surprised in this day and age that the name and the Indian headdress logo isn't considered dated and offensive.

    I wish I had had time to go into Chief and explore.  There's just a much more personalized experience at these smaller stores. Workers have a stake in them and in the customer experience.  Product mix can be a bit more variable, which I like.

    The grocery business is so competitive and so dominated by the "big guys" that it is just fun to see a little independent market grab a share of the pie.   The in many ways the grocery business HAS maintained some regional flavor....I love the regional chains...here are some favorites, and regional chains that aren't owned by the big guys (which is why a chain like Dillon's in Kansas didn't make this list, they are owned by Kroger):

    HANNAFORD'S - MAINE
    WEIS MARKETS - PENNSYLVANIA

    PUBLIX - SE USA

    HYVEE - IOWA/MINNESOTA

    SCHNUCK'S - ST LOUIS-MEMPHIS-EVANSVILLE

    MEIJER - MIDWEST

    FOOD LION - MIDDLE ATLANTIC

    APPLES SUPERMARKET - OHIO
    BUEHLER'S - OHIO

    MARTIN'S SUPER MARKETS - INDIANA

     

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    About Kevin Williams

    Hi, my name is Kevin Williams and I am owner of Oasis Newsfeatures and editor of The Amish Cook newspaper column.

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    Kevin Williams - The Amish Editor Amish Cook Column

    Hi There, I'm Kevin!

    Welcome to Amish365, where I share my knowledge of Amish cooking and culture! I’ve spent almost three decades exploring Amish settlements and kitchens from Maine to Montana and almost everywhere in between. I’ll occasionally throw in stories of my travels, journalism adventures (I’m a Pulitzer prize-nominated journalist), fascination with grocery stores and Kmarts, and much more!

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