Sweis Specialty Foods — Local services in Oklahoma City

In my wheelchair, I entered Eleys Foods several mornings ago. Within seconds I was greeted by one of the cashiers who asked if she could help me. Although I've been there before I was not very familiar with the store and asked her if she could tell me where to find the soft drinks. Well she took me directly to the soft drinks and by that time I realized there were several other things I needed to get and had not grabbed a basket when I came in just a few minutes before. So I went back to the front and she asked if she could help me again. I told her that I was just getting a grocery basket (you would not believe how difficult baskets are to push and steer around in a store. I was thinking to myself it's very thought went from behind me I heard the same cashier's voice again trying to get my attention. I turned and she had a smaller basket made mostly from plastic that was, I immediately thought, the perfect shopping basket for someone who has a handicap. I was out of the store a few minutes later but I must comment that each time I have been in this grocery store I've always been welcomed by a member if not several members of staff with a greeting and a smile and an offer to help. Please don't assume they're doing this for me because I'm in a wheelchair, as that is simply not true. I have seen them do the same thing with just about every customer that comes to the door. Friendliness and sincerity goes a long way in my book (just as it's probably should have everybody else's) and if you're looking for that in a small Hometown grocery store, then I believe Eley's Foods, located at Northwest 30th and North May, is the exact place you're looking for. Not to mention, I just stopped at Walmart the previous day and noticed that a lot of Eley's Foods prices were a lot cheaper than those of the items I bought at Walmart. One particular item, the EZ Off oven spray, was a couple of dollars cheaper! I would recommend this grocery store to anyone because of their cleanest establishment low prices and friendliness and sincerity of the staff. And last? I would really like to see the manager of the store give the gray headed mature lady who works there - who help me by taking me to every item that I decided I needed to purchase and take home - a big fat well-deserved raise for making my shopping experience at this store so much easier, quicker,...

I will not be shopping here again and will be advising all my friends and family against shopping here as well.

This store has an alienating, unwelcoming, unsafe and even hostile atmosphere. An armed guard protects the front of the store (from what? someone stealing apples?), and if you are carrying a backpack, the armed guard demands that you take your bag off and leave it at the front. He will not yield even if you insist you don't feel comfortable leaving your bag on a cart that he admits has not been cleaned recently; a very bad policy altogether during the COVID pandemic. On top of that is the classism of assuming you're stealing and failing to empathetically consider that some folks bike or walk and have to keep needed items (e.g. medication) in a backpack because this.

Upon politely informing the management that such a policy is unwelcoming, they dismissively insist that it is simply the policy.

Do not go here unless you want to be dehumanized, intimidated, and...

Although the prices are higher than your typical coast to coast chain supermarket, I have to respect and admire the dream that belonged to those that own this quaint, clean, and convenient little store. The produce has always seemed fresh, and the cashiers have always had the time to exchange a small conversation while they ring me up. There are times I find it important to pay more when I’m able. For people like this. They have served as a convenient last thought stop before a meal several times. Although it’s difficult to justify a very large shopping trip due to selection and higher prices, I will continue to substitute those smaller visits to large supermarkets for more...