Carlie C's IGA — Local services in Graham

First impression? Gorgeous layout, clean, peaceful energy -- easily one of the best-looking grocery stores I've been in. The produce section caught my eye immediately. They had these fake flowers so vibrant I actually thought they were real -- first time in my life I've wanted to buy fake flowers. The medium-sized products (like mayo, water bottles, etc.) are a smart touch most stores overlook, and the meat bundle deal ($69 for 5 cuts) is solid value. But then the cracks show... The meat bundle requires help from the butcher, but if you show up after 7 PM? They're gone. No signage, no posted hours, no warning. You could stand there ringing a bell for 20 minutes and no one will tell you it's a lost cause. Checkout took 15+ minutes. Only one register open, no backup, even as lines built. Manager walked past instead of helping. Cashier was kind but overwhelmed. Was also told they don't let customers in near closing -- even if you're a few minutes early. Deli and pastry? Lights off, no staff, and no signage there either. And the meat signage? All flash, no info. "High-quality" means nothing if you won't tell us what kind of meat we're buying.

Bottom line: We will be back. The place has serious potential. But if these issues get worse, it won't be our go-to. Carlie C's looks premium -- now it just needs to...

I wish I could good 0 stars and it’s not even based on the store particularly but my experience afterward with the manager Gary Edman. I shopped at the Graham location on 5/20/25 and bought a variety of meat including a salmon that I placed in the fridge that should’ve been good until the 27th. The next day my fridge and freezer smelt the terrible. I smelled the fish through to package but I couldn’t quite tell. Today 5/24/25 I went to open the salmon and it was God awful. I called the store and spoke with manager Gary Edman who was extremely rude and unhelpful. He basically told me since the fish was open they couldn’t take it back or the other meats I purchased since I froze them because it could not be resold. These items should not be resold to anyone, they need to be trashed. Everything is still packaged outside of the salmon and I have my receipt. I spent 200 dollars in this store and I’m very unhappy. I want a refund, I will not be consuming any of the food I bought there. Gary stated it was there policy not to take this items back however there’s nothing on the receipt that States that and I can’t find a policy online...

Historically, I have been very pleased with Carlie'C's. That changed today. I placed an order last week for a Large fruit and vegetable tray to be ready for 10am pickup on 4/13/23. I was called at 8:30am on 4/13/23 ( same days as our event) to be informed that they would not be able to make the trays. These trays were for a work function and were desperately needed. They offered no alternatives and not even an apology. We will no longer be using Carlie C's for any reason. Very unprofessional and disappointing.

Updated to say: Carlie C's reached out to me to make my bad experience right, and I appreciate that. I will commend them on their customer service. Amazing, swift follow up when they were made aware of the problem. ...