By Pia

I had just about had it. The long lines, the crowd, the mess, the lack of variety, the stark surroundings – I have been shopping every week for our family at Walmart for years, but this week, I said “basta!” “I am going to the local market,  I can’t stand going to Walmart any more. We can go to Costco to buy dairy products to make up for any products on which the local grocer being more expensive.

So, off I went to City Market, on Trail Lake, two miles from our house. I had been in before many times, but just to pick up odds and ends when needed – powdered sugar to make cupcakes one day, frozen berries for pancakes another. With my list in hand, I was ready.

The parking lot had more cars than usual, as it was Saturday afternoon. As I walked in, I was greeted by an employee. After picking from one of the three sizes of carts, I went off to the vegetables. Roma tomatoes, grapefruits, and more were on sale. The produce was more diverse than at Walmart, and I didn’t have to maneuver between a dozen other carts. After loading up the top rack of my cart with salad items and enough fruit to get through a week of lunches (about five pounds of apples, a few bunches of bananas, and some pears), I went in search of the dry goods on my list. It was a bit hard, as the aisles were not what I was used to, but I found everything after a few passes. Also, there were plenty of workers around for me to ask questions of. Many wore TCU sweatshirts, as the University is just down the way. The price tags did not have the price per ounce, as at Walmart, but in places I really wanted to know (breakfast cereal, mainly), I used the calculator on my phone.

I stopped by the deli to get swiss cheese – it was on sale. What a concept, sales! For someone used to “always low prices,” seeing deep discounts was fun. This could bring in more variety to our pantry, as some weeks a certain item is on sale and a better deal, unlike the previous store where I bought the same items every week.

As I walked to the front, I smiled at a low table where coloring pages and crayons were scattered. A sign read “Bring a colored page to the deli and get a free cookie!” This store is clearly interested in entertaining its younger customers, dragged along by reluctant mothers through necessity.

There were no lines that afternoon, and a checker walked out from her post, greeted me with a smile, and took my cart. She unloaded it, and a guy a bit older than my younger brother bagged them up. Another bagger came along with a second cart. After I paid, the two of them wheeled my carts out, waving me to go ahead, and loaded up my car for me! I was so grateful, as the loading/unloading of the groceries is usually the final straw of the shopping experience that absolutely exhausts me.

Leaving, I felt taken care of. I had some new items we haven’t had before – including locally produced pasta – “Our Best; Made in Fort Worth, Texas, Since 1899 by the Laneri family.” A review of that to come later. And the price — well, I have to say, with the sales and all, it seemed to me it was about the same. All I can say now is, we’re going back next week!

City Market
3563 Alton Rd
Fort Worth, TX 76109
(817) 921-4020