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orulz, on Apr 20 2005, 09:08 PM, said:
Up until the early 90s, Ingles stores had a very "funky" logo and the bright orange-and-yellow sheet metal facades. They stood out, sure enough. But as time progressed, that look became more and more dated to the point of being just plain tacky. Then, they came up with the idea of a "Super Ingles", for which I believe the store on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville (Store #2; #1 closed a long time ago) was the prototype. That was the grocery store that was closest to my home growing up, so it was where we always shopped.
I remember that after the early 90s update, the store included a pharmacy, video rental, a cafe, and a florist. The concept was fresh: on the outside there were earthy tones, a modernized logo, and stucco facades; in the inside things were brightly lit, always clean, and always modern. They've been tweaking things here and there to perfect the image since the Merrimon Avenue store was remodeled back in the early 90s, but the general concept has remained the same. It's a small touch but I believe they're a bit stricter with their employee dress code than Harris Teeter or Food Lion, and it really makes a difference in the atmosphere. None of that trendy, slightly dimmed "warehousey" feel you find in the newest Krogers or Teeters. The inside is bright, well layed out, and just pleasant overall.
Their prices have stayed competitive to boot, with the exception of Wal Mart. Food Lion can be dirty and just unpleasant, but yet their prices really aren't any lower.
Since I moved to Raleigh I've gone to a bunch of different kinds of grocery stores but every time I go back to the Ingles on Merrimon Ave. in Asheville I realize that "Yeah, this really is better."
I remember that after the early 90s update, the store included a pharmacy, video rental, a cafe, and a florist. The concept was fresh: on the outside there were earthy tones, a modernized logo, and stucco facades; in the inside things were brightly lit, always clean, and always modern. They've been tweaking things here and there to perfect the image since the Merrimon Avenue store was remodeled back in the early 90s, but the general concept has remained the same. It's a small touch but I believe they're a bit stricter with their employee dress code than Harris Teeter or Food Lion, and it really makes a difference in the atmosphere. None of that trendy, slightly dimmed "warehousey" feel you find in the newest Krogers or Teeters. The inside is bright, well layed out, and just pleasant overall.
Their prices have stayed competitive to boot, with the exception of Wal Mart. Food Lion can be dirty and just unpleasant, but yet their prices really aren't any lower.
Since I moved to Raleigh I've gone to a bunch of different kinds of grocery stores but every time I go back to the Ingles on Merrimon Ave. in Asheville I realize that "Yeah, this really is better."
Since my mom, is training at the starbucks there, for the starbucks on weaver blvd. in weaverville to open next month, all management at the merrimom avenue store, seems too weird.
she will become a starbucks manager.
