Soviet Safeway

Posted on August 17, 2007 by Gene

Dear Safeway,
For almost 40 years I resisted shopping at your stores. In the DC area, I was loyal to local grocery store Giant (until they were bought out by the Dutch), mostly because your stores were rundown, dirty and ugly, and your employees surly and unpleasant.
When I moved to my little San Jose neighborhood, I had no choice but to shop at your store — the only other store close to me is an upscale market that sells chicken at $14/pound.
Recently, your store here on the Alameda near Santa Clara University has stealthily begun removing items from the shelves, one by one, so that each time I shop I discover yet another item on my list is no longer available. It started a few months ago with the demise of Calistoga Black Cherry sparkling water. And yesterday it ended with the unstocking of Kraft fat-free cheese.
Well, my patronage ended.
I’m not sure entirely where I’ll be getting my groceries from now on, but wherever it is a drive will be required. It’s just that I can’t see the point of shopping at your store and then having to drive somewhere else to find the every day items I want.
Sorry.

Love,
Gene