September 22nd, 2006

Neighborhoods, and neighborhoods, are places to feel comfortable. Places to get to know your neighbors, if only by sight. Places to be suspicious of people who don't look like they belong, until you find out they just moved in three doors down, and then you bring them cookies. My own neighborhood took a big hit a few weeks ago when Larry's Market finally shut down for good. They chain, local to Seattle, hit bankruptcy earlier this year, and they've been hanging in there, waiting for a buyer. 3 of the 6 stores where picked up, but not the one in my neighborhood. And now I miss it.

I and the GF went to Albertsons the other day to shop. It's a place we've been many many times before. When she lived in First Hill, her own Neighborhood supermarket was also one frequented by nearby Capitol Hillians, and she actually preferred the trek to this Albertsons. Also, it's close to the gym where we pretend to sweat on occasion, which makes it convenient. But this Albertsons is no Larry's. I don't know any of the cashiers. I am not as familiar with the layout. Right or wrong, you get used to a particular route through your neighborhood supermarket. It's 2 in the morning, your tired from a 20-hour video-game marathon, and you're more or less navigating by feel as you pick up supplies for the next 20-hour binge. Can't do that at this Albertsons.

And I know I'm going to come across as an elitist snob and an utter asshole, but the people who shop there-- sometimes I wonder if the trailer is full of discarded Spaghetti-o's can and bags of half-eaten Cheetos (why are all the stereotypical white-trash foods orange and spelled with a final O sound? Guess that's hypocrisy for you- I kinda lke Spaghetti-o's and Cheetos.) Everyone knows what I'm talking about-- some people look good when they shuffle through a supermarket in flip-flops, sweatpants, and tousled hair. Some people look bad. But it was more than just that. I saw a couple and their friend wandering around, and as we past them near the deli, the friend picked up a 10-pound sausage and made some comment about it reminding him of being "in the joint." That's a true story.

I miss the gourmet cheese section at Larry's. I miss the huge wine section and the "sommelier" who always sneered at me when I asked him about my favorite Port. I miss the produce section, easily one of the most difficult places to find what you want, since everything is hidden under leaves and branches. Sure, Albertsons has gourmet cheeses, and wine. But it's not the same. It's not a mere 4 blocks away. I can't feel guilty about driving to it to grab a cold Mountain Dew Code Red, guilt I use later to go over to the gym and pretend to sweat.

But mostly, like I said, I miss having a supermarket in my neighborhood. I suppose the location will be purchased eventually. It's a high-traffic area, with a Starbucks, a movie theater, a Blockbuster, a lot of other small businesses. The closest markets to me now are Safeway and QFC, so ostensibly, Albertson's could even move in and compete for the Licton Springs grocery dollar. Maybe. But I'm holding out for another "gourmet" supermarket-- as long as it's not Whole Foods. Those guys are really too stuck up for their own good.