Bridgewater Foods — Local services in Bridgewater

This is a small, but very good grocery store. I used to do much of my shopping at Red Front when I lived in Harrisonburg. Bridgewater Foods, also being an IGA, is very similar to Red Front. However, Bridgewater seems to do a lot more with a smaller space. I do a lot of my shopping at Friendly City Co-op, but this is closer to where I live and has things I can't or don't buy at FC. During the season, I buy much of my produce from roadside stands or grown my own.

Their produce selection is one of the best examples in the area and especially in such a small space. Their wine and beer selection is the same way with a very well curated selection. Both areas are packed with local and Virginia products which is certainly not the case with many national chains. If you're looking for local wine selections, you'll find almost the whole line from most of the producers located in Rockingham county. The selection is as good or better than many wine shops around with regard to local wines. Ditto with local beer.

One reason I like this place is the overall selection. In the past few years I've seen the pattern of lowering total SKUs available in grocery stores in favor of larger facing quantities from one or two brands of each item. This same pattern is happening in national hardware stores and just about anywhere. Retail space is increasing but actual consumer choice is not. You're generally forced into a choice of the leading brand or the store brand generic. It's a shame. Here, this is generally not the case.

Their deli is very good with fried and rotisserie chicken available as well as sides. The frozen section is very well stocked and this is one of the few stores around that always has Gulf harvested domestic seafood available. If you're tired of super cheap farm raised Chinese or southeast Asian shrimp, it's not the only choice here. The meat selection here is also a step above most groceries since everything is not vacuum sealed but actually broken down and packed here. If you're looking for prime or choice cuts of beef, they are usually available here.

In summary, this place is small compared to grocery stores in the area and they do an excellent job dealing with that. Even taking size considerations out of the rating this is still a great, local...

Great Supermarket to go for those items you need asap. Bridgewater foods has a wonderful deli counter. They also sell Hot Chickens roasted or fried, and sides are available each day. There is a good selection of homemade sides like cole slaw, and macaroni salad. The Amish potato salad is very good and one of my personal favs. The produce there is always fresh. The meat selection is not big but suffices. I have learned to check the expiration dates on all meats. I bought pork chops once that I had to throw away because I had purchased on the last day of freshness then I let the chops stay in my fridge 2 extra days and they expired. This was my fault they went bad. Over all my shopping experience has been a good one at Bridgewater foods. I recommend...

The Cashiers Are Friendly and Nice. They Are Great About Pointing You In The Right Direction When You Need To Find Something. The Prices Are Little High for Quite A Lot Of The Items But The Selection Is Good. There Have Been Issues With The Fresh Produce Being Spoiled, Moldy Or Rotten (Not Usually An Issue). It's Very Convenient If You Don't Want To Travel All The Way Into Harrisonburg. They Sell Alot Of Local Items As Well. I Would Recommend If You Need To Get A Few Items But Not A Whole Shopping Trip. The Fresh Food They Sell is Absolutely Delicious And They Try To Switch It Up Every Day. All In All A Store That...