X post for my San Francisco neighbors: idea to make small grocery stores

[EFerrari]

less lethal to their customers.

FYI: I'm talking about the really small stores that mostly sell liquor. But some of them can cross over and become neighborhood assets like my friend is trying to do -- especially right now when things are so tight and gas is so expensive and so on. I'm going to propose this to Chris and Tom but before I do, wanted to know what you think:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3655935&mesg_id=3655935

[Cant trust em]

1. If you can pull this off I think we would all be indebted...

to the efforts you and your friend are making. Living in the Mission I get pretty good access to more healthy products, but I know that in the Tenderloin it is a lot more difficult.

[EFerrari]

2. I used to live in the Haight and there was a lovely, yuppie Market

The Fredrick's Street Market. It was beautiful and not for the consumers I'm thinking of.

But, for small grocers (and for their clientele) that can't do that, that can't afford all of that, there are still measures that can be taken that can make a real difference to the quality of life in this city. Fewer trips to the doc or dispatches from our first responders.

Small things like stocking real juice and not just Coke. Like stocking brown rice and soy milk and cereal that isn't drop dead sugared. Low sodium soy sauce. Canned fruit that isn't in heavy syrup, low fat beans and chili. Little stuff that adds up -- over the course of a week when you buy all your meals at one of these places because you can't afford to drive to a big box store or because this grocer gives you credit.

If there was an incentive, a smart one, maybe more of these small business people would go for it.


:hi:

[davidinalameda]

3. they make more money selling booze

it's a no-brainer

[EFerrari]

4. Given the effort Rolando has put into stocking real food, not really.

But thanks anyway.

[davidinalameda]

5. any time

he's unique then

most of the small grocery stores don't have anything past Chef Boyardee

[Oerdin]

6. Small grocery stores suck.

When I lived in Santa Barbara I saw first hand what small grocery stores mean. They mean small selection and dramatically higher prices. Yes, many of these small stores are locally owned and some of them are even walking close but in my opinion they should have to compete in the market just like everyone else. Why should they get a free ride and be politically protected against fair competition? The reality is people want to feel good about help small stores but then doom areas to sky high prices. What worse is they're mostly dooming the poor to paying these high prices.

If you want to support a small store then shop at one but don't try to pass laws outlawing their competition.

[EFerrari]

8. Small stores pay more for their stock because they buy in smaller amounts.

And you bet we do everything we can to keep chains out of our neighborhood. :hi:

[LeftyMom]

7. Do the small stores do any cooperative buying?

I know they probably don't want to help the competition, but if splitting a case of a slow-moving item or getting a volume discount by ordering together helps them all, then they'd all benefit, and maybe there'd be some lower prices or at least better selection for the consumer as well. Depending on who they order from, other local businesses might be able to get in on a cooperative buying effort.

[EFerrari]

9. That's a really good idea. I don't believe they have a network

where they can explore that yet. Hmmm.

[LeftyMom]

10. That might allow them to start doing a natural foods order as well.

Iirc, the minimum order from United Natural Food is $500. That might be a bit much for a corner grocery but split between two stores that's hardly anything.

[roody]

11. If they accept food stamps, they are obligated to sell

a certain amount of food. http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/contact_info/toll_free_number.htm