I gotta give props to a grocery chain hereabouts:

[tommyt654]

Just a little morning rant cause the battery on Mommas car would not crank. She is one of the many dedicated Publix employees who never really get the credit they deserve and as a spouse of one I would hope that next time your shopping there remember these selfless employees who are in there at 3,4,5 a.m. in the morning making sure your goods are on the shelf to purchase. However this raises a question of safety for me as she drives 20+ miles one way to get there. Do they really need to be there that early? I mean aren,t there enough male employess around to go into these stores at that early time rather than having a female drive alone on a highway at those hours of the morning. Its just to me a safety issue rather than a need for them to have those shelves stocked before say 7 a.m. Maybe I,m just ticked cause I was having such a good sleep.Also as I stated before she has been there 6 yrs yet never offered a promo to mgt, but she was a convienance store mgr for 14 yrs at a Shell gas station yet they still do not promote women to the higher ranks unless they have a college degree. I guess experience just does not count with these people. Anyways next time your in 1 just pat that guy or gal stockin the shelves on the back and say NICE JOB, I,m sure they would like to hear that.zzzzzzzzzz

[cabinetman]

Publix has my vote. No comparison to Winn Dixie. Publix has torn down a few of their older stores and have built modern versions. One Publix in downtown Ft. Lauderdale built a multi level store with indoor parking (with security camera coverage) and elevators and escalators. They also have carts that all four wheels work.
.

[Knottscott]

I've been a spoiled "Wegmans" brat for years. IMO, they've been setting the pace for decades, and all others play catchup. Family owned and run, well trained, well treated employees, and unbelievable stores that make most look like a warehouse...they outdo themselves with every new store.

[capncarl]

I would like to point out that it is hard to complain that women are not promoted equally and in the next breath complain that women should not have to come in early. I agree that their promotion practices are questionable. That subject would start a very large debate that may turn into a bucket of worms. ( I see female marines and have to ask myself how I would fell if that was my wife or daughter, and then have to comment that they asked for equal treatment. )
capncarl

[natausch]

Huge fan of Woodman's and so glad they've finally begun to expand into Illinois. Employee owned, unbelievable selection (picture a home depot sized grocery store), no absurd "club card sales" and their prices beat the other chains around here by 15-20%.

[phi1l]

woodman's kicks everyone's butt., even Walmart Super Target..

[Kristofor]

I've never shopped at a Woodman's but the local large grocery store (Cub) sounds similar (bigbox footprint, non-membership, 24x7, etc.).

I much prefer this format to the smaller old-style grocery stores I see in many parts of the country when traveling (HEB, Safeway, Kroger, WinnDixy)

While I don't personally need them to be open at 6AM, in my younger years when working a 2PM-1AM shift I frequently shopped from 2-4AM and LOVED it. No crowds, usually no waiting to checkout, fresh bakery products, etc. Around here there are probably more 24x7 grocery stores than ones which close (and I'm sure this was true before Roundy's purchased Rainbow and changed several of them to non-24 hour format).

I can sympathize with worrying about late night 20 mile drive, but it's not the 1940's any more. The desire for equal opportunity and equal pay comes with equal risks and equal drudge work. A company that decided women can't/shouldn't work early/late shifts would probably find themselves in court with unhappy people on both sides. Women would be mad about denying positions which could allow them to advance and perhaps for not having access to shift differential pay, and the men may be made about having to work less desireable time slots based on a protected class...

[tommyt654]

Unfortunatly for this co.(Publix) they haven,t learned from their past mistakes when it comes to advancing women or discrimatory practices(google publix lawsuits). I can see your point about that but why does this practice of stocking have to occur so early in the a.m.. I rarely see shoppers at our local grocery chains, Krogers, Ingles, Walmart, or Publix in a capacity that would be hindered by people stocking anytime before 10.a.m.My wife indicates it because thats when the trucks come in to avoid heavy traffic conditions, that a load of s**t, Those guys get paid nearly double what the other employees do.

[RAFlorida]

Let's be fair.

NOT only does Publix have suits against them, BUT so does Winn Dixie, Kroger, et al. Don't single out one as if they are the only bad guys. For my money Publix does a great job with their employees, I do know a few.

[Uncle Cracker]

NOT only does Publix have suits against them, BUT so does Winn Dixie, Kroger, et al. Don't single out one as if they are the only bad guys. For my money Publix does a great job with their employees, I do know a few.

I don't think Publix's success has come at the expense of their employees(gender notwithstanding), either, which cannot be said for many other companies, grocery or otherwise.

[tommyt654]

Don,t hold your breath on that statement. They are no longer a family owned and run business like they were a few yrs ago. The devil is in the details my friends and many a good co.,(Home Depot) for one hit the lows with corporate greed stepping in to fill anothers shoes.

[Ed62]

One of our biggest local grocery stores is Strack and Van Til. We started shopping there back in 1961. It was family owned, but several years ago, the owners passed away, and the store and the name were sold to some large corporation.

Back in the 1960s, it was a great store to shop for groceries. Today you can go to the produce department, and you'll not be surprised to find mold on some of the produce!! Glad to hear there are actually some places that do the right thing.

Ed