Marketplace Foods — Local services in Marquette

Here I am again, a stranger in a town we love but cannot find what we want in a food store. On a whim, I asked a guy, an employee at Krist on Washington street, where in the fabulous city of Marquette is the place to go to find the best selection of Old Dutch potatoe chips. Mr. Concentration looks at the ceiling, then the street but has a look on his face that was earnest then cooly said "Econofoods". After following his lazer-accurate directions, we arrived at the store like local pros. Entering, I was immediately met with patrons and employees smiling and talking with one another as though best friends. Cruising through the store, I liked the stock shelving layout, the challenge of finding the goods I wanted and enjoyed the overall atmosphere. "Hmmmm......there's something not so corporate about this that I like." I remembered thinking. It was like stepping back in time when people were actually courteous, spoke plainly and nicely to you and better than that, really cared what you had to say! Of course, the great selection at Old Dutch display may have enhanced my opinion, but only marginally! Before leaving the store for the last time on this trip, I made it a point to stop by the Customer Service counter, summoned a bear-sized, bearded, young man and told him I had good news and no complaints.......he really seemed invested in my comments, leaving me with a response that he would share them with his management. The chips actually tasted a little better than usual on our way downstate the following...

If you are a Tadych and you are reading this: you should give your check-out counters some chairs and be the local grocery store that is changing the game. Right now you're trying to compete with so many other, bigger stores that playing by their rules will only lead to your doors closing within the next 10-15 years. Be the local supermarket that people are PROUD to shop at. Already, the unique selections of food, and the reasonably priced and expansive alcohol selection is a draw; but to have ROOTS in the community is something else entirely for the longevity of a business. So many middle class families in the area pick Econo because it's local and convenient, but if you emphasized your commitment to be a role-model business you could attract lots of positive attention and customers who might otherwise go to the local co-op for their ethical groceries, or might just follow the cheapest deal somewhere else. I liked the More-Card. Maybe you could do some sort of membership thing? IDK. The world is your oyster. It's important to lean into and adapt to change, especially if you're seeing diminishing returns. Don't be afraid of doing the...

Unfortunately I have to report this is not the same friendly, fresh, clean place it used to be. Happy to see they have a salad bar and sushi. But unfortunately the sushi is not fresh. Rice was at least a couple days old. As well as lettuce which was brown and empty containers for toppings. Do they have anyone to refill these items when low. Was treated with total disrespect after asking for a container for my dressing. Lied to me and said they did not have any. And proceeded to provide me with container to test a deli salad. Many times they have given me container for dressing which was weighed while checkout with salad and added to price. She racially profiled me and accused me of trying to steal salad dressing. Will not be returning to this store for any reason. Staff is unfriendly and rude. Overworked and underpaid...