Grocery Outlet — Local services in Portland

When this store first opened I was so excited! It's a short walk from where I live and quickly became an almost every day stop for months. They didn't always have everything I needed but I could piece something together. The cashiers frequently told me I was a "favorite" customer because I always had a backpack and my own bags to pack my groceries. All that changed recently. After the first ice storm this year, I needed a few things. My house had been out of power for 20+ hours and I needed some things that didn't need to be cooked to get us through. I came with my backpack as usual. Generally I grab a cart and put my empty pack in it. This time the store had been rearranged. The front of the store was almost completely blocked with christmas merchandise and advertisements. I opted to grab a basket instead as the aisles were already jammed by another customer with a cart. All it took was one cart to block almost the entire entrance which seemed absurd but I carried on. The store was pretty busy. I was shopping in the meat section surrounded by people when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It took me a moment to realize who was talking to me because there were 3 other people surrounding me. A young man in a wrinkled, dirty t shirt and pants said "Ma'am. It's store policy that you can't have your backpack. I can take it up to the front for you." He had no name tag. There was nothing indicating that he worked there. I told him I had never been told that before and wasn't going to hand my bag to a stranger. He laughed at me and said "well it's store policy and you can't have it. You can leave it at the front of the store." I was upset because of the way he spoke to me but I walked to the front of the store. There was no one there to take my bag and the young man was nowhere to be found. I held my bag up and said "Since no one is here to take this, I am just going to continue my shopping." So I did. I picked up 2 more items and was approached by the same young man in the cracker aisle. He walked up behind me and said "I told you that you can't have your bag and I can take it for you." At this point, I was angry. This guy didn't even look like he worked there. As I said, dirty wrinkled shirt and pants and no name tag at all. I told him that I didn't trust a stranger with my bag and that I tried to bring it to the front and no one was there to assist me. He told me I should have just "left it at the front". I told him "no way! This has NEVER been a problem before." This is when I got really offended. This guy just started to laugh in my face. I was clearly upset. As I mentioned before, my house didn't have power for 20+ hours. I came to my regular neighborhood grocery store and felt harassed and then LAUGHED AT. I tossed the basket on the counter and told him I would never be back. I walked out but then I thought about it. I needed to say something. I walked in and asked the young man to speak to a manager. He informed me that he was the manager. A manager with NO NAME TAG and dirty clothes. Awesome. I asked if there was anyone else I could speak to. He laughed again and told me "the owner's brother but he is just going to say the same thing and agree with me." I told the owner's brother what happened. He was as gracious as he could be but the young man stood next to us literally laughing in my face the entire time I was speaking. It was one of the most infuriating and humiliating experiences I have ever had. I told him to stop laughing at me and he just said "I'm just smiling. I'm happy". I left, dropped my scooter off at home and walked to winco in the ice for what I needed. Needless to say, I have not and will not ever be back. I used to spend over half my monthly grocery budget a month here (which is quite a bit honestly) but now I would rather walk 2 miles to winco... even in the snow!! This neighborhood market needs to learn how to treat...

This used to be my favorite Grocery Outlet however the outer division location is kicking their butt! This used to be my favorite place for dairy free and gluten-free items but lately, especially in the ice cream & (non) cheese department, they are incredibly lacking. (Sad panda)

Grocery outlet will Always be great for those obscure, rare, or odd duck items you'll see twice, then never again.

The Flavel location has a really great lil outdoor Garden Center, home department, and beauty section. Plus $3 sunglasses! (OH no, now I've given up my secret shades source) (buffalo exchange is the other secret source btw)

The trick is to go early on weekdays. otherwise parking can be a bit difficult, selection is Slim, (and although they try super hard to keep enough staff on hand), you're going to wait in the line for a little bit.

Also as with anything, know your prices! (aka shop their super special deals because most other items are the same or more than regular box stores store brand prices;just up the street).

In part due to Grocery Outlets being independently owned, youll find the same selection( if not better) but a little better prices @ division & 122nd and better parking than the Flavel store currently offers.

Regardless I'm still a loyal customer to my local grocery outlet and hoping as spring and summer approaches I can update my review re: gluten and...

10721 NE Sandy Blvd Portland OR. Recently this location has had Really Awful and Lousy Customer Service. Julius was my cashier today and if he does not like his job perhaps he should not have applied for it. Julius did not make eye contact, did not say hello, did not ask me if I wanted or needed a bag. When I requested a bag he was reluctant to give me one. He finally got one out after I had to remind him that I still needed a bag and then he would Not bag my items. Since when does this business establishment not bag items for their customers? I saw No signs indicating that they No longer bag items for their customers. Julius also did not offer me my receipt, he started ringing up the next person and I had to specifically request and ask for my receipt. Also I needed to make two separate transactions and this was the experience for Both transactions. Either he has Not been Properly Trained or he simply just does not Care. I do Not recommend shopping at this business establishment at this location if you don't have to or need to. There are other locations that have far better Customer Service and are more friendly and professional. I would avoid this location at all costs. Sad, but...