Zaphirah your review of the new co-op please

[mblessed]

Hi again Zaphirah, I've been meaning to ask you about your visit to the new co-op, as you mentioned on another thread. It's about 1 hour from where I live in the Berkshires. How did you like it and how does it compare with Whole Foods in Hadley?

Thank you so much! I value your feedback! Have a wonderful Spring day! :D

Blessings and peace,

Marcia

[Zaphirah]

I went on Thursday..or Friday. I forget. It was 2/3 stocked. Some prices were CRAZY high, and some were low. When we lived in So. Hadley we joined many years ago. We are member #775, I think. Now we live in Blandford. To tell you the truth, I think Berkshire co-op is pretty much equivalent, or perhaps better since everyone knows what they are doing.

If I were you, I'd definitely wait before going. I'm going to wait another month AT LEAST while they work the bugs out. It was frustrating and crowded. I ended up buy a *few* things there and then headed over to WFs to do the remaining 80% of my shopping. I think in the long run it will be great. But it's SUCH A LONG DRIVE to go there, have nothing priced, shelves empty, and the staff in a stress-stupor. :p

It *is* beautiful. I don't think they offer the buying club like Berkshire Co-op does-which RAWKS, if you've got the space to store stuff.

Hope my post isn't too much of a downer. I think in time it will get better. For me, I'm approx 1 hour from GB AND Noho/Hadley/Amherst-but I like the scenic drive to GB much better. LOL!

[Zaphirah]

Oh-I should add that it seemed as if a majority of their produce was organic and the prices seemed comparable, or just *slightly* less than WFs

[mblessed]

Wow, you responded so quickly! Thank you! Your post was not a "downer" at all. It was a very balanced perspective and just what I wanted!

I get very excited about these kinds of stores and can jump in too fast. Since it's an hour away, I think it will be better right now anyway, to spend my time in other ways.

My husband is a gardener and he has some cool things planted this year. Maybe I'll spend some time helping him in the garden. :)

Thank you again, I really appreciated your review! :)

Blessings and peace,

Marcia

[Zaphirah]

I haven't gone back-have you?

[mblessed]

Hi Zaphirah,

I have only been once, which was two weeks ago. After your initial review, I decided to wait awhile until they had more time to get settled. It was ok, I did get a few things, but being that it's a hour away, and the co-op in Great Barrington is 30 minutes, I'll probably go to GB, since I get things there that no-one else seems to carry, like Rejuvanative Foods products. Hubby likes their tahini.

By the way, the olive oil I recommended at the co-op in GB is in the bottled section with the other oils. I don't believe that brand is available in bulk. It's the only one I have seen around here that says right on the front of the label the temperature at which it is cold pressed.

Have a wonderful Day!

Blessings and peace,

Marcia