Marketime Foods — Attraction in Seattle

This was a cute little neighborhood store with friendly customer service and good selection of foods. Last week was a different story. It was strange that they now have a security guard dressed like a cop. I was at the deli and I waited for 10 minutes before a short white (using race as descriptors) guy finally paid attention. I asked when the deli closed after seeing all the food covered with Saran Wrap. Soon, a tall African American woman with braids retorted that they were closed. I told her that I came there many times previously and they were open at the same time. She said they closed early. I asked for specific time. The woman scoffs and says “NOW.” I told one of the cashiers about the deli woman’s customer service and he listened and looked over at another employee who came over to his register. Keagan (name on tag) said that was not okay for her to treat a customer that way and talked for a while and that she would inform the manager and took down my name and number. Later I went to get some produce (and the organic mushrooms stank after I opened the wrap at home). Keagan was friendly and warm and apologized again during check out. There was a short white woman who was the bagger and she wasn’t bagging while she blocked the items I purchased. I told her I had my own bag. She gave a weird and cold stare while she finally started bagging the items. Overall, it was terrible customer service from most of employees that day. The manager never called. I called their phone number listed on webpage and no one picked up. I left a message on one of owners (Greg) voicemail and he never returned my call. It’s too bad that the cute neighborhood store...

I live right around the block from Marketime Foods, so I occasionally shop there. However, my experience with the security guard and the ridiculous prices makes me wish it was further away. I will always shop elsewhere if given the choice, just to avoid the price gouging and the rude security guard at the door.

I find myself leaving the store shell-shocked at the prices, like the time I saw a gallon of milk priced at $17.99. Half the time, I can't bring myself to pay for these astronomical prices and just leave the store without making a purchase. When I do this, I'm verbally accosted and physically intimidated by the security guard. Unfortunately, the convenience of its location means that I can't say for sure that I won't be back. But unless I really need something right now and no other place is closer, I will do my shopping elsewhere. There is absolutely no reason why there needs to be such ridiculously high prices and rude security staff at...

The owner is a very humble and kind human. The employees are really nice and have great customer service.

I've been going to Marketime 2-3 times per day for over 2 years. The quality of the deli and prepared foods have gradually gone down hill in that time. This month has been the most drastic change yet. The prepared salads look the same as the old ones in their plastic containers, but once you mix the salad together, the proportions are way different. Now, you're paying a ridiculous price for 97% lettuce and 3% toppings. All the salads I've purchased in the last few weeks have had soaking wet lettuce. It's really gross on the day it was prepared, even worse soggy factor days later when it's still valid to sell.

Not to mention they're also closing an hour earlier each night to save on costs. Sad times for the upper...