Martin's Super Market — Local services in Niles

From Wikipedia: "In the United States, a delicatessen store, or deli, is a type of business that could be described as a synthesis of a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant. The delicatessen store offers a wider and fresher menu than those found at chain fast food restaurants, rarely employing fry machines (except for chicken) and ROUTINELY MAKING SANDWICHES TO ORDER."

2-24-2015, approx. 4:30 PM I go into Martins Supermarket (Niles, MI) and ask the women behind the deli counter if they make sandwiches to order.

Martin's has a dozen varieties of SLICED lunchmeat available to purchase by the pound. They have cheeses, dressings and a salad bar they keep stocked with fresh veggies, like lettuce, tomato, onions, green peppers, etc.

Back to the women behind the deli counter- she says "Well, we have ready-made sandwiches down there" as she points to the far end of the counter. I ask again if they make sandwiches to order. She says "Well, they make the sandwiches early in the morning before we get here" I CAN'T get a straight answer as to whether or not Martin's Deli will make me a sandwich!!! I ask a THIRD time and now the women looks at a man (manager?) and asks him "Do we make sandwiches?" He looks at me and babbles something about "Well, it depends on if the ingredients are available (you mean like LUNCH MEAT AND BREAD???) or if it's sliced up, blah, blah, blah..." So, I say "Why can't I just get a Yes or No answer?" The man says "Well, we have sandwiches down there" as he points to the far end of the counter. I'm right back where I started.

I'm already at Martins and I'm on my lunch break from work so I HAVE to get SOMETHING. I buy a ready-made roast beef sandwich, the beef is blood-red rare and the blood-stained bun is tough, cold and chewy. I ask the cashier to have the store manager stop by my table. "Bryan" stops by- he doesn't introduce himself (I got his name from the name badge), doesn't offer to shake hands- he just walks up and looks at me like I've interrupted his day. I tell "Bryan" the whole story AND HE STARTS GIVING ME THE SAME B.S.!!!..."Well, it depends on if we have the ingredients and what type of sandwich you want and blah, blah, blah..." I say "How about a tuna salad sandwich with lettuce green pepper and onion?" (ALL of these things are available for sale in the Martin's Deli) Bryan continues talking on and on as if he can't hear a word I've said. Finally I've had enough- Martin's has broken me. I tell "Bryan" the store manager, "Just forget it, I'm sorry I bothered you and your Deli people." Bryan continues, "And besides even if we have the ingredients we can't make a sandwich without a RECIPE...(???!) Now I start laughing- "Your PROFESSIONAL sandwich makers working in your Deli need a RECIPE to make a tuna sandwich???" Bryan: "That's right, we can't make anything in the Deli without a recipe" Finally I say "I'm sorry I even asked" Bryan smirks at me and walks away, from me his customer, without saying...

This store is merely a 'Meh'. It seriously needs updating. All the other Martin's locations tend to be very clean looking and well polished. This one needs to have the floors redone, the base boards are all scuffy and filthy and it has a general, closed off, Warehouse Packing Station feel. Now, all of this WOULDN'T be an issue if this were your basic, run of the mill discount grocery store. But it's not.

Martin's is by far one of the most expensive grocery stores in the area, and while one can argue they have some good sales on some items, a great many of the items they carry can be purchased cheaper elsewhere (Believe me, I'm a deal shopper). So when I go to Martin's it isn't just because of the food, it's for the atmosphere. It's also to a smaller degree for the experience. When you go to Heritage Square in Granger and see polished floors and beautification all around, or go to any other Martin's location and see up to date decor, you feel like it's worth spending the extra money sometimes.

This place feels like they charge extra and have absolutely no reason to. Like an old ratty church that continues to collect money for 'The Building Fund'.

To add insult to jarring injury, why do all of the employees seem as Clueless as the ones in Walmart? You guys charge almost 10 dollars for a small package of children's chicken nuggets, I think you can afford to give every associate a floor plan and planogram walk through. Why does no one know where plums or toilet paper are? Walmart can get away with this, their employees are underpaid and hate life. With good reason. You charge 10 dollars for small packages of chicken nuggets... The single most abundant meat source on the planet.

I say pass on this location. Every time. Go further down the road to Walmart. Or go to Harding's if you like dirty stores with high prices. At least theirs aren't AS high.

I really hope I have reason to come back and give them a better review...

Unfortunately, I have to edit my prior review while also changing the star rating. The prices here have gotten to an obnoxious point, and even I (full time worker, child free) cannot continue to shop here with these prices. My grocery bill here is $250 on average, while I can get the same grocery items at Walmart (where I absolutely hate going) for quite literally half the price. Two weeks in a row we've chosen Walmart, which again, we absolutely cannot stand shopping there. Unfortunately, I can no longer argue Martin's is better. End of edit. //// PRIOR REVIEW: Martin's has been my preferred grocery source for years, and my family's as well. I eat a lot of vegetables and niche health foods, all of which I can find here. I've also always been a huge lover of the deli, I regularly buy sushi, chicken, meat, desserts, and all kinds of delicious items from the front deli area. They also have a lot of fresh seafood (i remember when they had the lobster tank!) which I eat a lot of as well. For the most part the staff is super friendly, pleasant, non-invasive, and more than a few have worked there for many years. I also love to see they still hire teenagers for the checkout! They're all well-mannered and pleasant to be around (stark contrast to the workers at Walmart). Recently they've been renovating, which I'm so excited about as it's long overdue! So far the new Smokehouse section and the Bagel area in the bakery are really yummy as well (shout out to the older male who works the Smokehouse area, he is AWESOME). I also wanted to add there have been many times that we've tried shopping at Shelton's, Harding's, or Walmart instead, and we always end up back at Martin's. There are many reasons for this - location, experience, prices, selection, and quality are just some of them. Thank...