I Hate Giant

by Will Wilkinson on July 14, 2004

I encourage everyone not to patronize the Giant Foods at 9th and O St NW. It is a horrible establishment.

nogiant.JPGI don’t believe I’ve ever waited less than five minutes in line. I have waited more than twenty on several occasions. The ratio of surly to pleasant among the cashiers is about 15 to 1. And they labor with the swiftness of the heavily sedated. Sure, it’s cheaper than my other local grocery, Whole Foods (libertarian-owned, I’m told), but I think I may be willing to add $10 to each bill in order to save myself the aggravation of standing in line while the check-out lady makes yet another historic attempt to break all known records in lethargy (while the manager, a creature rarely seen, camps in the fetid back room listening to “The Rest of the Story” on Paul Harvey News and Comment.) Whole Foods is often packed, yet I rarely wait more than five minutes. Did I mention that Giant is ugly, and that the produce is bad.

You know, Giant has been petitioning Montgomery County against allowing the construction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter and a Wegman’s, pathetically citing concern for the “environmental impact” of these stores. Well, I suppose the impact on Giant’s environment is that they will be unable to compete with well-managed businesses that offer better value to their customers. May the big boxes crush the complacent, mediocre, rent-seeking incumbent!

  • PG
    When I lived in the DC area (by which I mean West Falls Church), I was in walking distance (by which I mean "could carry week's worth of food") of both Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. And yet I doubt anyone who actually lives in the District would trade places.
    Has Whole Foods resolved its labor issues, though?
  • We should do an exchange program. The 14th & Meridian Giant is far worse than any other grocery store I've ever experienced.
  • Phil
    (Just posted this on Matt Yglesias...) This particular Giant is near my house. From vast personal experience I can authoritatively affirm that it is the worst grocery store on earth. (Except, perhaps, the corner store nearer my house where the meat section is filled with meat that is past its expiration date). This Giant, though, is just a six-sided ring of fire disguised as a grocery store.
  • /b
    Oh--it was my first time here. Now that I've poked around, I see it clearly wouldn't matter. My bad.

    Have fun!
  • No wonder the employees are so pleasant and the service is so good!
  • /b
    If it matters to you, Whole Foods is extremely anti-union...
    see here, here, and here
  • Joanna
    Amen to that, Rob. Joe Coloumbe is a creative and brilliant implementer of low-cost, quality foodstuffs. He's now on the wine board for my favorite store - Cost Plus/World Market. Similar business model.
    FYI - TJ has locations in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Mass, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Penn, and Virginia (whew!).
  • Rob
    Never knew there was Trader Joe's anwhere east of L.A.

    Well, another fine export. God bless California.
  • Joanna
    Chuck's in Piggly Wiggly-land! Way to be in the trenches :).
  • Chuck, It's so far out there on Wisconsin it is in Bethesda! Look!
  • Chuck
    There is a Trader Joe's in the District, but it's so far out there on Wisconsin, it might as well be in Bethesda.

    Oh, and I don't want to hear any complainin about groceries from people who don't have to shop at the Bi-Lo or Piggly Wiggly.
  • I would gladly wear capri pants to Trader Joe's.
  • Joanna
    FYI: Organic-food magnate John Mackey is indeed a friend of free-markets.
  • Lane, I'll take you in capri pants any day!
  • Yes! Trader Joe's!
  • Joanna
    Hear hear. I boycotted the 9th St. Giant weeks ago for the same reasons. Between CVS and Whole Foods, I'm getting along just fine. I've had a few duds of cashiers at the 14th St. WF, but for the most part people are helpful and friendly. Down with Giant!
    While we're petitioning, let's lobby for a Trader Joe's in the district so we can get great food, service, and cheap prices all in one place!!
  • Funny, in DC the 14th Street Whole Foods has substituted men in capri pants and $200 sandals for its "hot-lookin' women."
  • Rob
    Whole Foods kicks ass. I reoomment most highly the one in Brentwood, San Vicente Blvd. Feast for the eyes as well. I don't go out to bars much. Whole Foods is better: Plethora hot-lookin' women, you can see them in daylight, and you get your shopping done at the same time. You just have to keep the basket in front of you in case you accidently sport wood.
blog comments powered by Disqus

Previous post:

Next post: