Last year, we Ashevilleans saw the corporate takeover of our beloved Greenlife. While some seem to not mind the change, many of us disliked the lowered quality and diminished local options and ran away to Earth Fare.
Well, now we are facing an even worse corporate takeover of Earth Fare. Talk about dark, deep holes! We, the customers, seem to have no value to the new owners. They have decimated the hot and cold bars, the deli and the takeout pizza and sandwiches. Can't wait to see what they do to produce and meats. The price increases have been dramatic, and the arrogant and self-righteous attitude of the new staff is off-putting. Just like Greenlife, staff went from friendly local faces to corporate robots.
Oak Hill Partners saw a company that was in obviously good financial standing with a solid customer base, making a fair amount of money. Instead of making what was good better, they are stomping the life out of it.
I personally usually spend $120 a week at Earth Fare. This week, I spent $37. My partner usually spends another additional $40-50 a week, and she just simply refuses to even walk in the door.
Given the quality of what they are offering, I may as well go to Ingles. Thank the farmers for the farmers market, but they aren't year-round. But I will be spending more money on gas to get to a variety of different places when I used to be able to pick up much of what I needed at one store three miles from home.
In a city that prides itself on good food, we no longer have a single grocery store that represents us, the customer. The French Broad Food Co-op is great, but often prices are high and the selection limited. This presents a great opportunity for them to expand, if they have the resources necessary. It is a sad day in Asheville.
— Cari Rowan
Asheville
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Ms. Rowan writes, "I may as well go to Ingles," as she decries "corporate" takeover of locally-owned enterprises. Ingles is a locally-owned enterprise. Why not support them? And they have responded to competition by putting in organic and locally-sourced produce, gluten-free products, other "whole foods" brands, many of the same "gourmet" brands as other stores, at cheaper prices. They employees are well-trained and friendly. I have no particular brief for Ingles, other than being a frequent shopper there (as well as other stores),but I'm curious as to why Ingles is seen by this letter writer - and others who has commented here - as a a kind of last-ditch alternative.
By Curious
07/19/2012