Surrey Square — Local services in Norwood

Surrey Square is the local shopping center for the City of Norwood. Featured stores include a Kroger's grocery store, Marshall's, two cell phone outlets, Radio Shack, Cancun (Mexican food with full bar), Chinese take out, Zoup, Chipotle, Burger King, McDonalds, and Taco Bell/KFC. The character of the center reflects my neighborhood in that it caters to a basic middle class with some struggling working families and individuals with more than a few folks requiring assistance. The Kroger was once a 24-hour store, but closes now at 1:00 AM. Most stores close at 9 or 10 PM. The McDonald's operates 24/hours and the Burger King closes at 1:00 PM. Until recently, there was no place in Norwood for a late night meal and Surrey Square did not remedy that lack with any style. The little gem of a family style local diner called The Bluebird now serves all night (or nearly) on Friday and Saturday (and may be expanding that offering since they are filling a genunine community need).

There is a massive flagship of a Krogers a couple miles away in Oakley, but this local version has all the expected items, with a good meat market, and adequate fruits and vegetables with a new liquor store and a Starbucks outlet inside the store.

I have not described every store at Surrey Square and I know they have a tire store and a building supply business in the center or the immediate area. This is a fine and functional local shopping center. The Marshall's seems to understand the neighborhood, and has discounts I have not seen at other Marshall's outlets. Norwood is working class and middle class, and likes a discount where...

I adore Surrey square! Back in the day it looked like a mini city... that was air conditioned and you could walk go all the stores and never had to leave the building to do so. That's changed... But here's what else has changed.... It got larger. All the shops we already loved... And more. If you're hungry.... The challenge is narrowing down what kind of food you want from which restaurant. You have kfc/Taco Bell, Chipotle, Wendy's, MCD, pizza, chilli, subs, you name it...they got it. Kroger's... Yep... With a pharmacy, smoke shop, automotive parts, jewelry, clothing, medical offices, hair, phones, hardware... It's all there. I'm there nearly every day. Lately...becuz of expansion... Parking has gotten interesting if you need a handicapped space but it's a great...

So I have mixed feelings about this place. Definitely checkout Double DragonII and DEFINITELY check out Murray Bros candy shop. Its amazing. The rest of the square I couldn't care less about. There's always someone fighting in the Kroger parking lot, aggressive panhandlers(don't get me wrong pan handlers in general don't bother me) but these people can be very aggressive at times. I also think their traffic pattern through the square needs massive improvement. Otherwise if you're in the area and want some candy or Chinese food, or don't have time to go to another Kroger its convenient...