I don’t have much to share from the weekend, but a few highlights included pizza and a movie Friday night. We watched About Time. I thought it was an incredibly well-done movie with a solid message. Enjoy your life. Even some of the mundane parts you don’t think are worth enjoying. In short, I cried into my pizza.
Saturday we watched a little football (How about that Chubb?! Amiright Georgia fans?!) and went to a friend’s birthday party where Hailey got to meet Elsa. It’s amazing that all it takes is a blue dress and a side braid and BAM, this three year old is smitten.
Sunday was a particularly beautiful kind of cool, drizzly day. We started off with family pictures, did some chores around the house… wait for it…
Behold- the mythical man with iron. He does exist!
and I got to go to Disneyland. Well, my version of it—a new grocery store!
Publix just opened their new location in Huntersville off of exit 23 and it made total sense for me to drive past dozens of other grocery stores to go check it out. I wasn’t the only one, it was a madhouse!
So, as an (un)professional grocery store critic, here are some thoughts…
I really liked that they had a bulk section. Though it’s not large, I appreciated some nuts, snacks, chia seeds, etc being available in bulk.
They carried my favorite almonds in the BIG bags! I haven’t found these two flavors anywhere else in this size packaging. Point Publix.
I thought this way a really cool concept- buy a name-brand jar and get a Publix jar for free to try. Unfortunately both jars of pickles contained artificial colors, so I didn’t buy either, but still- cool concept.
I like that there is no loyalty card required (anyone else have about 100 on their key chain?). A BOGO is a BOGO for everyone, and there were a couple good ones!
Overall, I really liked it- it felt clean, fresh and well-stocked. The people were incredibly friendly and helpful. The prices, however, were about on par with Harris Teeter. I guess I was expecting them to be less.
Back home, it was a scene from Pleasantville. I soaked up an afternoon of watching Hailey and David ‘fish’ off the back deck while Kaitlyn scooted around the floor and I made lemon chicken soup.
It was the perfect meal for the beautiful, drizzly fall day.
Are you a grocery store loyalist or do you bounce around?
What is your favorite store?
Karen says
Gosh, we really need to move. We have no good grocery stores near us. No Publix, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, nothing….such a bummer.
Soup looks fantastic:-)
Sherry says
Great picture of Hailey & “Elsa”!
I go to “Disneyland” about 3 times a week–guess I should be more organized!
Laura says
I love publix! I’m probably slightly biased since they are how I met my husband. We were both in management at the same store and it was love at first glance down aisle 1. Just a tip, and I think it applies for stores in your state, but for BOGO, you can choose to buy just one and get it for half off. I love that!
Brittany Dixon says
That’s adorable!! I hope they offered to cater your wedding or something? 🙂 Love the ‘love at first glance down aisle one’ – haha!
And YES, I love when BOGOs can be used as half-priced items. Great tip!
Kelli M. says
I’m a Trader Joes and Wegmans girl!
Brittany Dixon says
Sigh, One day I will get to experience a Wegmans— I hear AWESOME things!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
From Gurley to Chubb we go! However, I’m still so disappointed with everything that happened!
And I love the deals your new Publix has going on right now. I love the Publix bakery – so many great breads and goodies to choose from! The only thing I wish it offered more of is organic produce (that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg!).
Brittany Dixon says
I still feel like I don’t have a solid understanding of what happened. Is there proof? I need to read up on it, but in the meantime, yay for Chubb! 🙂
Brynn says
I am a trader joes loyalist. But there isn’t a publix in Michigan. I’ve never been in one but always hear great things!
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
Sounds like a great way to spend a gray drizzly weekend. We had a pretty gray Sunday ourselves!
I’m not so much committed to a specific grocery store as I am interested in the store with the best produce. After living in California for so long, I have some pretty high standards for how I want my fruits & vegetables to taste!
Monica says
I have to bounce around to several grocery stores. I’d love to be able to do one-stop-shopping, but my daughter’s milk is a this store, but the veggie burgers we eat are at that store, but only the third store has… blah, blah, blah. I even have to go to Walgreens to get their version of granola. So good!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh my gosh, I have the same issue! David thinks I’m nuts for having a ‘store for milk’ and ‘this one has the better breakfast burritos,’ etc. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one! I sometimes have to compromise now for time sake, but I totally know what you’re saying!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Dark chocolate almonds? I have to try those.
I live in the land of Ingles, so I shop a lot there 🙂
Heather says
I definitely shop around and have no loyalties. Typically I end up at Target, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s because those are nearest where I work, and typically are less expensive than some of the other nearby grocery stores.
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
There aren’t that many options where I live but I bounce between Whole Foods and Safeway. Most recently I started getting all my produce from a farm called Imwalle Gardens. It’s really awesome. They grow a bunch of their own produce but they also have all kinds of produce from CA. It’s well marked so I know where everything is from AND the best part is that it’s SUPER cheap. I’m loving it.
Jane Preston says
Love Publix, their customer service is wonderful!! By the way, I’m jealous your Publix has a dry bulk area, it would be so nice to be able to grind my own organic almond and peanut butter! I’m with you on the pickles and pickle relish. Why do companies have to put dye in there?
Would you share your lemon chicken soup recipe? It looks amazing!
Brittany Dixon says
Put in a word at your Publix- WE WANT BULK 🙂
I didn’t use a recipe- just made it up as I went. Cooked and shredded the chicken and the soup had carrots, celery, onion, garlic, fresh thyme and parsley, peppercorns and then lemon at the end! It really brightens the flavor.
Jane Preston says
Thanks so much! Sounds amazing!
Carrie (This Fit Chick) says
I totally bounce around, but there is only one that is near me (Ralph’s!), so I have to go to that one. Publix looks great though!
Danielle says
As a Georgia girl, surely you have experience with Publix?!? You don’t go to Publix for the cheap prices, you go because of the great customer service, clean store, top of the line produce, AMAZING bakery and deli services…. do I sound like a Publix rep? Lol
We lived a few minutes from that plaza- That Harris Teeter used to be my go-to grocery store. It figures Publix would open after I leave. I’ve lived in 5 different states across the country and can say that Publix is by far the best grocery store. In the world. In fact, our wedding favors were Publix chocolate chip cookies (they didn’t even bat an eye when I ordered 10 dozen of them either).
Alex says
I tend to bounce around to two of my favorites: Whole Foods and a local market. The local market is my favorite, and I really enjoy supporting the local businesses and farmers when possible. The soup looks good! Hope you’ll be posting the recipe soon
Alex says
I tend to bounce around to two of my favorites: Whole Foods and a local market. The local market is my favorite, and I really enjoy supporting the local businesses and farmers when possible. The soup looks good! Hope you’ll be posting the recipe soon
Lauren @ Lettuce Eat Cake says
Is there a recipe for that soup you could link? Sounds amazing and perfect for a chilly and cold day here in the Midwest. 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
I just made it up as I went (a bad habit of mine when it comes to soup!). I will try and write it down so I can share next time!
Lindsey @ SimplyLindsey says
My husband and I really enjoyed the movie About Time too! My favorite grocery store is Trader Joes! We went all the time when we were in DC because there were at least 2 that were really close to our house. Now that we’re in Charlotte, we go to Harris Teeter more often because it’s closer.
Laura @FitMamaLove says
Lol that once you’re a mom a new grocery store=Disneyland! Especially when you get to go without the kids! 🙂
I am a bit under the weather and was so glad to have some homemade chicken stock in the freezer so I could enjoy good soup in a pinch!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh yeah, I was kid-free and I felt so stealth sliding through the aisles without having to beg or bribe 😉
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
That pickle concept is super cool! I wish grocery stores in the Midwest did something like that.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I love Publix! That is where I do the majority of my grocery shopping, mostly because it is the closest store to my house. If I want to get the most for the money at Publix, I plan my menu for the week around sale items. The BOGO’s are awesome, but some of them end up being processed stuff that we don’t need to buy. But they do sales on healthy items too. Need-it-now items can be high there. I try to buy as many staples as I can at Costco.
Speaking of Disneyland for food-people…we are getting a Trader Joe’s in Birmingham in 2015!!! I can barely contain my excitement. And, sure, I will have to drive past like four grocery stores to get there….but who cares?! Trader Joe’s! *confetti* So excited.
Your background boards look pretty! Thumbs up. 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Rumor has it that TJs is heading our way too- exciting!! Now if only we could get a costco too 🙂
and thanks for the board info! I’m having fun playing with them!
Rachel says
They are building a Publix in Cary and I’m so excited for it to open!! Although I was hoping they would be cheaper than Harris Teeter, so that’s a bummer.
Right now I shop around between a local farm, Whole Foods, and Super Target. I had a small panic attack this weekend when the farm said they “close” from December-March. I was like, omg I need to stock up on bacon!
Kris says
I’m a FL resident who does not love Publix. That excellent customer service comes with a big price, and it’s not so excellent now that they’re cutting part-time hours (ran into one of the regular part-timers who had to quit to find another job with more hours and benefits). The friendly and helpful workers who used to be the aisles aren’t there anymore. The BOGOS used to be good, but now are pretty much on wheat-based products. No bulk bins at my Publix, and I’ve never seen the try one of the name brand and get the Publix version free (or buy one of the BOGO for half price). Lastly, I live in a major tomato growing region, and Publix refuses to participate in the Fair Food Program which would pay tomato pickers an additional one cent per pound, saying it is a dispute between tomato growers and their workers. Wal Mart, Trader Joes and McDonalds all participate. Publix has been refusing for five years. I think my money is better spent elsewhere, and my favorite grocery store is Harris Teeter!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
crazy fact… my husband does ALL the ironing! 🙂 I am a Kroger girl!
Immy says
I live in the northeast… so Whole Foods and Stop and Shop.
I hate artifical colors!…and the fact that the brands without them cost so much more!
LaToya says
Very cute pics!
I normally stick to one store, Kroger, because I know where everything is and I fly in and out. If it’s something really quick and simple that I need, I tend to go to what ever store is closest, though.
Brittany from CountingMyCupcakes says
I LOVE Publix. There is a Harris Teeter maybe 3 minutes closer to me, so I will occasionally go there if I’m really in a hurry or just need one thing, but I always prefer Publix. Their motto is, “Where shopping is a pleasure” and it really is so true. They are so friendly and helpful. For many things I do agree their prices are similar to HT, but their store brand frozen yogurt is THE BEST EVER and almost always on sale for 2 for $7 (meaning 1 for $3.50 for us in SC…i know that rule doesn’t apply everywhere though). I also have found goat cheese is so much cheaper at Publix for some reason. And bagged greens like spinach, romaine and other salad blends are cheaper too!
Jen says
A Publix in North Cackalacky? Really? I thought we didn’t have any at all! I live in Western NC and whenever we’ve visited Florida I always love going to Publix, but these days we mostly hit Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, which certainly satisfies my needs as far as good grocery shopping. If a Publiix opened here, I’m sure I’d check it out!
Matt @ Runner Savvy says
I loved Publix when I lived in Tuscaloosa! It’s no whole foods, but was great for a local store.
Lee says
I kind of don’t understand the obsession with Publix. Maybe it’s because the one closest to my house is on the small side. I bounce around – Kroger, Publix, Trader Joe’s. I don’t usually do an entire grocery trip at Whole Foods or Sprouts, but sometimes I’ll go to pick up some speciality items.
Jen Clark says
Publix is huge down here in Florida and I love it! I will gladly pay the extra money for the best customer service around.