Home Economist Grocery Store

[Terri Wilson]

Has anyone been there? Anyone have any opinions? I am thinking about checking it out tomorrow.

[Pat]

I think they have great prices on bulk items, grains, nuts, flour, etc. Their refrigerated foods seem cheaper than EarthFare, imo. And they'll order and give a case discount. The staff is knowledgeable about their products.

Recently, they've changed management, I understand. And they are trying to be a bit more "conventional" it seems. Many of their 'woo-woo' products were eliminated. Like I wanted a tea ball for loose leaf tea and they no longer carry them. How non-conventional is a tea ball?? They only had packed teas. Same with a few other household items, they quit carrying them.

EarthFare is closer for us and now we have Trader Joe's even closer. And Trader Joe's has the best prices, but a more limited variety, imo. Also, only TJ's own name brand stuff is always "GMO, artificial color, artificial flavor, artificial preservative-free,no growth hormones, no antibiotics, etc". TJs carries a lot of items that include those ingredients. EarthFare never has those ingredients in their products, it is part of their selection process. That is important to me and makes my buying easier.

But, organics at TJ are the cheapest, ime. They just don't have as many choices. Their produce seems to be larger packages with a better price at TJs. Also, the staff at TJs is much more knowledgeable than the "help" at EarthFare. Many times I've asked for help with items at EF and no one, after asking three different folks knows anything about the products. A few times, they have been very knowledgeable.

But, I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth. Earth Fare provides us FREE meeting room space and believe me, I pay for it with my buying dollar. I need to buy stock there, or get a job there, as so much of our money goes to Earth Fare each month!!

Talley's on East Blvd is another option. It is way too far for us, since we're down in Weddington. But, they have a large variety. I haven't shopped there in years. But, they were one of the only natural markets for a long, long time. They are a bit pricey, now that they are in "South End".

Oh, and "Absolute Organics" is the equivalent in price and variety as EarthFare, per my rough estimate. And they frequently have local organics. Plus it is delivered to your door.

The farmer's markets have the best price on the most nutritious produce, imo. But, many of them are not selling LOCAL produce. So, you still are getting "picked green" produce, rather than closer to the vine.

HTH, and just my opinion...


Pat

[Amber]

Is this the HE in Davidson? I shop there once a month - saving on fuel. They just recently redid the layout & it is much better, easier to navigate. Every so often there is a coupon in the Clipper that comes in the mail...

My only issue is their 'packaged' produce - I had some bad luck 2-3 times so I just don't buy those anymore. The loose produce is fine.

[Pat]

What issue did you have, if you don't mind sharing.

We've been pleased with the quality of the packaged items at Earth Fare. Expensive and small portions, though. So, they were mostly one time, novelty purchases!


Pat

[Jeff Wilson]

Trader Joe's is a great store. I have shopped there for over 20 years. We would have care packages shipped to us periodically until they opened the store in Piper Glen. I am curious to see what HE is all about.

[Gretchen]

Great response, but unfortunately Talley's closed for good in May. :(

[Pat]

Wow! I did not know.


Pat

[Amber]

Two or three times, I had purchsed fruit in plastic wrapping that looked beautiuful, however when I got home & took it out of the packaging, browned rotten underside. :(

Now, I just buy their loose produce & have no problems with spoil.

[Sofia T]

I've checked all of them the two months I'm here. Nothing is like Whole Foods, especially in fresh produce, really really fresh.And most of them is not packed, . When I checked their site I found they 're supposed to open a store in South Park area. Does anyone have any idea?

[Pat]

Whole Foods at South Park? Wow, that would be great!


Pat

[Karen Shattuck]

Did you go to HE yet?
I have been meaning to try them out.
There are two around charlotte, one on South? and on 74 I think.
I need to check them out too. Good to know about the case discount. EF is frustrating me with that! EF help is not always helpfull.

I go to Eath Fare. Processed foods are stilll porcessed. So there are many items I can not eat at Earth Fare and TJs. I aslo find a few items at Harris Teeter that I can eat! They are almost always cheaper than EF. I need to check out TJ again. the last time I went was around turkey day so it was crazy and I did not find a lot I could buy.

[Laura Anne Farley]

it is now the Home Health Market. I have done a couple of cloth diaper workshops there. I like the store. The produce is expensive but it is all organic. It is great for saops and bulk items.

[Terri Wilson]

No I've been lazy so haven't ventured over there yet. I probably will though when I start to run out of stuff.