They may have turned down Publix, but...

I'll stand with EM anytime, anywhere!

I'm glad people are happy about a Publix coming to town. However, I think the remarks about how redneck 'everyone' is in this area are uncalled for. I agree with Jennifer, if you don't like it, move somewhere else. Huntsville is just right up the road.

For the record, I never called anyone a redneck but I did call some Shoalsites cheap bastards.

Where can you go that you don't find "cheap bastards"?

I didn't see many the last time I dined at the 360 Grille. But those places are few and far between.

Quote of the day (let's watch and see which bit dog barks) No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Captain oblivious, it is quite clear from your posts that you think you are better than others here. If you want to dine out and pay $15.00 for a $3.50 hamburger; that is your business. Yet at the same time, the oerson who buys the $3.50 hamburger has the same right. I don't appreciate your language but after I thought about it; I realized that is what is expected from someone of your nature. My Mama had a saying about folks like you: if you could buy them for what they are worth and sell them for what they think they are worth, you would be millionare. I think this fits you. You probably ain't got a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of!! 72 runs east and west, 43 runs north and there several other ways out of here; pick one! We can send lots of help to get packed up and on your way!!

[quote]I didn't see many the last time I dined at the 360 Grille. But those places are few and far between.

Quote of the day (let's watch and see which bit dog barks) No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.[/quote]
You're embarrassing yourself and don't even know it. "Cheap bastards" come in all sizes, colors, ages. They can be "rich" or they can be not so rich. Some people are frugal.

I've had meals at what you consider "classy restaurants". I ordered a $7 dessert that was touted as a speciality of the "chefs", and the waiter said it was large enough for us to split three ways. It was a bowl of instant pudding. I pointed this out to the waiter, he talked to the "chef" and the story was that the "chef" hadn't had time to prepare his desserts so he was "dressing up" the pudding and passing these off as his dish. The dressing up was a few sprinkles of nutmeg and a cookie. They comped the dessert. I wasn't being a "cheap bastard", I just was not going to be happy paying $7 for a bowl of instant pudding. A small bowl at that.

One restaurant tried to comp our entire meal because the waitress brought our salads before our appertizer. The manager came out to apoligize. We had not complained, we couldn't have cared less that she did it. We assured the manager that we had no problem and insisted we'd pay for our meal, our waitress was lovely, and that it didn't matter if we got our salads first. Kinda tells me that the manager is use to dealing with "prima donnas". Sad actually.

My favorite restaurant is family owned. They are from Alaska and the husband is a chef. They keep fresh flowers on the tables and the food and service is unbeatable. We take all our out of town friends there when they visit. But you wouldn't like it because they don't charge 10 prices for their meals.

"Posted by Captain Obvious
Familiar Face

Posted 22 March 2011 10:43 AM Hide Post
For the record, I never called anyone a redneck but I did call some Shoalsites cheap bastards"

For the record, I did not call any names or say that you did.

Jennifer, subtle nuance and dry humor evades you, doesn't it?

This entire thread was about Publix. I look forward to buying good quality items at a Publix. Not once did I say the prices were higher. I've never noticed that to be true. Publix prices are competitive with Foodland prices. My original statement was that people in the Shoals won't shop at a store that doesn't have the name Save or Discount in the store's title. You can call it frugal if you want to but it's the mentality of most of the people around here. BTW, this sort of mentality is what has caused all the locally owned businesses to close their doors.

My response wasn't about Publix true, it was in response to your post about cheap bastards and how you ate at some restaurant. If you want fine dining it's all around you. If you want pretentiousness that's all around you too. I'm surprised you haven't "found" your niche. I can give you a list of restaurants that will fawn all over you, serve you tiny portions, oh but the "presentation" will be superb, and charge you 10 times the value of that meal. But if a place has nothing to offer except "atmosphere" it won't last long in this economy.

Why is it that most people's typical response to someone who doesn't follow the crowd is to tell them to leave? Sometimes it's good to buck the system. That's what our country is all about. It's no wonder with that kind of mentality that our area is stagnant.

[quote]Why is it that most people's typical response to someone who doesn't follow the crowd is to tell them to leave? Sometimes it's good to buck the system. That's what our country is all about. It's no wonder with that kind of mentality that our area is stagnant.[/quote]

If someone is so obviously unhappy in an area people naturally wonder why they stay. Travel a bit, you'll see this area is no more "stagnant" than others, and you'd be surprised that it's even more advanced than a lot of areas that you would think would be ahead of their time- so to speak. I wonder why people move here to work and live, and feel it necessary to start calling people names. What do you want from an area that you can't find here? Why do people from the north move here in droves to retire if it's so bad?

I don't think it IS the area. I think they're bitter that they had to leave home to make a living, and they're taking it out on the new place. Kid stuff.

I wouldn't say that Flo has anymore "cheap bast#ards" per capita than any other town. However, I would say that there are quite a few people who are resistant to change or trying new stuff. Just look at the type of restaurants in the Shoals. To my knowledge there aren't a lot of "different" type restaurants such as Indian, Thai, Greek, German, etc...

Thai food is AWFUL.

chicken pad thai is delicious.

Too bad the one German place closed. Their food was pretty good.
And Jennifer, is it pretentious to want quality? I went to school here, stayed here, and make a pretty good living for my family and me right here in the Shoals. I'd just like to see some of the backwards church on every corner thinking around here turned into something more progressive for the area so the kids graduating at UNA can stay here and make a living.

I think the area is doing pretty darn good considering the economy. And again, people from the North retire here in droves so it must have some appeal. You have to have a demand for certain things before they can be successful, and "specialty" restaurants may not have that demand. As with Thai food, Kenny likes it, I hate it. There is a Thai restaurant about 6 miles from here on Hwy 72. We tried it a few times, ordering different things thinking we'd hit on something we liked, but we never did, but apparently there are enough that do like it to keep it open.

The Indian restaurant I love, but my husband can't stand it, so we rarely go. We don't eat out that much anyway. You are only an hour or so away from almost anything you could want.

Thai is okay if you tell them to leave out the fish sauce/oil. They put it in EVERYTHING. Nasty.

People that I've talked to move here because of the weather, lower cost of living, access to golf and the river. But believe me, they DO have culture shock for a while after they get here.

Captain, I don't believe it's the Churches or Church thinking, of the area, that causes many graduating UNA to leave. Try the potential for grown locally which is more a function of the traffic infrastructure rather than belief base of the area. Try the fact that many of the actual jobs that are here pay lower salaries than competeting jobs in other cities.

Other factors ,that influence attracting companies that would provide competitive jobs, are also the status of schools and education in the area. Many factors that companies consider before locating to an area are just not favorable to the Shoals area but religious belief of the citizens are not generally on the map.

Most of the jobs here are in the service industry. Too bad we can't attract more industry to this area. I blame that on lack of a good Interstate to here. But I stand by my opinion that fear of demon alcohol has hurt growth where restaurants and music could flourish.

Now that word of Publix has officially been released I'm wondering about the folks that were so emphatic about there not being a Publix coming based on the information they received directly from Publix?

I think it's pretty common knowledge that any large company or business will deny until the official release by local governments that their plans involve locating to an area. One reason is the same that Disney never revealed their plans to build near Orlando. For one when someone knows that a large company or business is planning to locate in their area or close to their land the prices for property skyrocket and become much more difficult to obtain. Additionally surrounding properties also are more expensive, for the same reason.

That is why I never give credence to any announcements from either a companies webpage or other company source about future plans. I'm glad to know that Publix is coming and when here will be my preferred grocery location.

I also noted that they said that there would be room allotted, in the parking lot, for construction of a restaurant. I wonder if that restaurant will be Sweet Peppers? I know they said that they wanted to build in the Books a Million parking lot so I suppose now they have a prime opportunity. Also there is a Sweet Pepper's located in the Publix shopping complex in Athens. Just speculation on my part but would make sense at least to me.

I have, along with some others, said for months that Publix was coming. I work in a capacity, that at times, allows me to be privy to certain information.

I too have heard the rumor of Sweet Peppers, but the one I am hearing a lot about now is Panera Bread.

I love Panera, but I also wouldn't turn my nose up at an Atlanta Bread Company location here.

I really think the Shoals could stand a bit more culinary diversity, where the concept of "exotic food" doesn't begin and end with buffet sushi and sweet and sour chicken.

I just had Panera for lunch today. I think it would be a good addition for the Shoals area. They have an interesting selection of breakfast items that certainly can't be found at any other Shoals area chain restaurant. And while not a Starbucks (cue the "Starbucks sucks!" responses - I happen to like them), their coffee is not too bad. The comfy chairs and free wifi help add to the "coffee shop" experience and will probably make it a place the college crowd will enjoy going. Personally, I wish Florence would focus on getting something like that downtown, specifically for the UNA students.

I'll follow up my previous post and mention that here in Chattanooga, I have three area Publixes (Publixii?) that I can choose from, and have been there several times. The stores are clean and the food seems to be fresh, but I have noticed some higher prices. Meanwhile, my grocery store of choice is one of the several "Bi-Lo" stores, including a few "Super Bi-Lo"s. They tend to be a lot like Food World for the best comparison, but again, the stores are always very clean and the prices are much more competitive with Walmart. I do think Publix will do well in the Shoals, and I also doubt that Walmart will even notice.

[quote]I'm sorry, the attack on the "shoals" people is 100% correct. Sociologists refer to our society as "chicken tender people." We go to any restaurant, we want chicken fingers and fries. That is actually true. Even the Mexican places offer this. The larger meaning behind this is that the people around are here uncultured, cheap and ignorant of most outside things(I.E. REDNECK.) We dont want food unless its a full meal of old veges and cornbread for 5.99$ from a meat and 3. We expect insane portion sizes for very cheap. If an area restaurant doesn't fill our plates with enough food to satisfy Haiti, we say they are "over priced."

We would rather shop at places like Walmart than a Publix. OMG CHINESE MADE WIRE HANGERS..100 FOR .50 CENTS! OMG! GREAT VALUE SPAGHETTI MADE IN VIETNAM FOR .89 CENTS! OMG BEAUFORD GRAB EM!

We will never have a Starbucks because people are to **** cheap and stupid. Oh sure, 4$ for a latte is a lot you say. However, you don't mind spending an entire weeks check on beer and smokes. God forbid it be new years or the 4th of july. Then you spend a months pay on fireworks.[/quote]


LOL! That is stinkin' funny right there! I nominate this for post of the year!

[quote]No, it was used as an example. The people in this area are pathetic. It's not about Publix or starbucks. Its about the general uncouth nature of ther white trash society. Sure, you'd rather save up for 1000$ fireworks while on foodstamps. You yell roll tide while you've never been to college. You moan and complain about restaurants that charge more than 5.99$ a plate. You moan and complain if an establishment doesn't serve "greens" and fried chicken.[/quote]


My new favorite poster: Boogieman.

As an aside, is mac & cheese considered a vegetable only in the South? I've always wondered that.

[quote]Captain oblivious, it is quite clear from your posts that you think you are better than others here.[/quote]

I don't see where Captain Obvious said he was better than others.

What's wrong with wanting quality, if you can afford it?

You right-wingers don't have any problem with super-rich people - you know, the Fox News loving CEO types - living in McMansions in enclaves; owning multiple expensive cars; putting their kids in private school; eating at expensive restaurants; taking expensive vacations, and on and on.

It's the American way, right? Earn it and spend it any way you choose. So what's wrong with Captain saying he's willing to spend more for quality, if he has the money to afford quality?

This thread has the win.

Personally, although too pricey for everyday shopping for me, I really like the Greenlife Grocery store in Chattanooga. I love those kind of stores.

Panera or ABC would be great! I'd also love a Starbucks!

Thank you, Buttercup. And as an aside, yankees put cut up weenies in mac and cheese. Can you give a me an , "Eww"?

[quote]As an aside, is mac & cheese considered a vegetable only in the South? I've always wondered that[/quote]

I don't know anyone who calls it a vegetable. I keep hearing "side dish."

I've seen mac and cheese as a vegetable at several establishments, including: Cracker Barrel and a meat & three we have here in the Hoover area called Dale's (not THAT Dale's).

I guess it's just easier to lump it in with "vegetables" if there's not a "sides" on the menu? I'm honestly asking.

[quote]You right-wingers don't have any problem with super-rich people - you know, the Fox News loving CEO types - living in McMansions in enclaves; owning multiple expensive cars; putting their kids in private school; eating at expensive restaurants; taking expensive vacations, and on and on.[/quote]

Wow! So you can determine someone's political leanings simply on their shopping habits. This could totally re-define the red state/blue state dynamic!

Late breaking election news:
"Iowa just went Publix, America."

I was making a point, Grits. You apparently missed it. I'm shocked.

I'd love to sit here and debate, but I've got to get to Publix before they close and get some organic produce and over-priced milk.

I thought you meant right chicken wing, Buttercup. I must still be thinking about Buffalo Wild Wings. Anyways, if you post much up in Politics, it ain't no secret how you vote.

CONGRATULATIONS!! This thread has gone from a grocery store announcement to anything but! Cap oblivious(male names don't make you one), B?C, Jen, and others just can't stay on subject. What the heck does mac and cheese have to do with Publix? Who cares how much money you have or think you have when it comes to grocery store announcement? If you want to brag about the things you eat that i can't even pronounce; that's ok. Start your own thread about them. I cannot beleive that some of the language in this thread has been allowed. If you are so great; why hide behind some made-up moniker? Also what gives any of you the right to judge others by where they do or do not shop. Just because bread is 3.00 one place and 1.29 at another; what makes you better because you paid the higher price. I have placed the whole lot of you on ignore for a while. I will check back later to see if they are any changes. Maybe you are all just like windsong and change your name with the seasons.

Personal Opinion mind you, but I think many would be surprised to find that many of the different brands are actually made on the same production lines. I know if you shop the Hostess Outlet or other outlets you find that many different types of bread are sold there but come from the exact same factory lines. Or so I'm told.

So keeping this post, along with the topic at hand, Publix. I will say that of all the generic branded breads the Publix Brand tasted best to me. I've tried the Foodland, Foodworld, Big Star and WalMart generic branded breads and while of those I tend to like Foodworld's best I still think Publix's generic brand is better than the rest of them and I hope it won't be too long before Publix opens their doors here in town.

I would guess that the Food World on Flo Blvd may be in trouble when Publix opens. Just a guess.

[quote]I'd love to sit here and debate, but I've got to get to Publix before they close and get some organic produce and over-priced milk.[/quote]

I buy Publix store brand milk. It's actually as cheap as anywhere else and sometimes on sale.

[quote]I was making a point, Grits. You apparently missed it. I'm shocked.

I'd love to sit here and debate, but I've got to get to Publix before they close and get some organic produce and over-priced milk.[/quote]

As a matter of fact, I didn't miss your point at all. I just found your attempt at irony fell a little flat. Nice try, though.

You drink milk with your produce? How gauche.

[quote]CONGRATULATIONS!! This thread has gone from a grocery store announcement to anything but! Cap oblivious(male names don't make you one), B?C, Jen, and others just can't stay on subject. What the heck does mac and cheese have to do with Publix? Who cares how much money you have or think you have when it comes to grocery store announcement? If you want to brag about the things you eat that i can't even pronounce; that's ok. Start your own thread about them. I cannot beleive that some of the language in this thread has been allowed. If you are so great; why hide behind some made-up moniker? Also what gives any of you the right to judge others by where they do or do not shop. Just because bread is 3.00 one place and 1.29 at another; what makes you better because you paid the higher price. I have placed the whole lot of you on ignore for a while. I will check back later to see if they are any changes. Maybe you are all just like windsong and change your name with the seasons.[/quote]


I feel like I'm being scolded and sent to my room, pooh's dad.

[Sir, yes sir!]

And I said the mac and cheese thing was an aside. Geez. No worries...the discussion picked right back up.