Fresh Farms International Market — Attraction in Wheeling Township

On my way home for a video doc appt., I stopped in here just to quickly get eggs on sale. I still wear a mask in public and do the distance thing because I work around high-risk and infected people where Covid (and other) outbreaks are still a regular thing. So, I was in and checked out in 5 minutes, and the cashier, still holding my receipt, starts giving me unsolicited advice about how I should stop the mask, let my skin breathe, etc. I stupidly told her why I still mask, then she actually closes her register and has me leave my eggs at the checkout to follow her back into the aisles just to show me cinnamon, then starts telling me how to make some health drink with it. When I said thanks and started reaching for my receipt still in her hand, she starts telling me about eating greens like kale or dandelion greens, getting sunlight daily, etc. I kept trying to tell her I was in a hurry and she just keeps talking. Worse, she's a close-talker and every time I took a step back she stepped closer, maintaining a 2 foot distance. When she finally gave me my receipt, I headed out and she keeps following, telling me things that a) I already knew as a healthy eater, b) did NOT care about, and c) DID NOT HAVE TIME FOR. I got home late, missed my appt. which was rescheduled at soonest for 2 weeks from now.

This annoying cashier essentially wasted 15 minutes, and subsequently, 2 weeks of my time, AND cost me a no-show fee for my missed appt. I REALLY wish I wasn't having a bad social anxiety day. In a normal state of mind, I would've just grabbed the receipt out of her hand and walked away whether she was still talking or not. I was too angry and rushed out before noting her name tag. She's a short, older lady- maybe 50s, I think Eastern European accent (sorry, I'm bad with accents), bad teeth, and dark-rim glasses. If you're checking out and see her at the register, even if every other line is long and she's empty, AVOID her, especially if you're in a rush! Personally, once I find a different place with reliably consistent sales on organic eggs and produce, I will never set foot in this store again, just incase she or others like her are there.

*Edit: I just explained to the store manager and he actually knew exactly who I was talking about. Apparently, this has been an ongoing issue with her involving other customers. He was very empathetic and even said to ask for him next time so he can compensate me in some way. This manager is the ONLY reason I will consider returning to this store. If she is fired, I may even add a star or 2, since the store itself and rest of the staff are good.

*Edit 2: I'm changing rating from 1 to 3 stars. I went back 2 weeks after the incident and spoke to the a store manager. He graciously apologized again, told me the employee was fired, and even let me have a couple items in my shopping...

I just would like to warn all customers to be careful when you are buying cakes or bread in the bakery inside their store. Last time when I tried to buy croissants the sales person- a polish looking woman in her 50s, tried to cheat and overcharge me. I ordered 2 lemon croissants but she deliberately put a price-sticker on a bag for 6 croissants. I have discovered this cheat when I went home. So, had to return back to the store and to talk to a manager. He apologized and tried to defend that the salesperson made a mistake and that their store doesn't try to benefit on customers like that.

Yes, It sounds legitimate but the issue is that this polish woman took a look two times into the bag with my two croissants before putting a price-tag for 6 ones. So she clearly saw that there were only two croissants inside, but still tried to overcharge me.

You can ask, what's the point of her doing like this? Who is going to benefit in this situation? I know that in Europe salespeople sometimes do this cheat in order to get food for themselves for free. It's called "shopping by customers". She tried to overcharge me for 4 extra croissants and if this trick had gone smoothly she would have brought to her home 4 croissants for free. And now do the math. Imagine if she would do this trick not only to me but to some other customers. She would got lots of...

My favorite store in the whole world! Seriously though, how can you not love the smell of baking bread while you are shopping. It’s hard to resist a loaf of bread since there are so many varieties and they are so reasonably priced. I try a new kind of bread every time I go there.

I have never seen such a large selection of honey anywhere else. The cheese selection is amazing. Who knew there were that many types of feta cheese?! The deli with its wide array of meats, sausages and cheese. The hot food area with freshly made pierogi, Greek salad, potatoes, steamed veggies. The sweets in the bakery area are so tantalizing and very hard to pass up. Fresh fish on ice, reasonably priced meats, hard to find European ice cream, halva, challah, etc. Freshly made sushi, a juice bar, and their prepared salads are amazing and with super healthy ingredients. We get their prepared salads at least twice a month for a filling, healthy dinner on Friday night.

Can you tell I love this place?! I really wish there was one where I live, but feel lucky to have one near my work. My photos are years old, but still give you an idea of my excitement...