Blog 2/4 Observng Physical Places

What is so special about buying food? I guess I’m not a food addict like my father. When I go to food stores I don’t pay as much attention to the people, to the prices, to the quality of the product. It’s like to-may-toe’s and to-mah-toe’s. The product may be the same but the pronunciation and who it could appeal to is different. When you think about it, there are many cultural and social boundaries between Fairfeild County.

I mostly focused on Fairfeild, East Norwalk, and South Norwalk.

In Fairfield there were a variety of food stores that are similar to the ones located in Norwalk. The only thing that stands out seems to be BJ’s. In South Norwalk, East Norwalk, and Darien you wouldn’t find Wholesale Corporations bigger than Costco. Especially in South Norwalk, it’s common to see places like Shoprite, Stop N Shop, Whole Foods, mini Spanish stores and other small food chains. It's a huge contrast from Fairfeild  which seemed predominantly white. Surprisingly, the co-workers ethnicities in the Wholesale Club varied. Socially, what I’ve noticed was over the years there was a decline in shoppers. It may be its isolated location, or the fact I go at the least popular time. Like Costco, in Norwalk, shopping at BJ’s can get pretty expensive. You could go in for something as simple as toothpaste, and spend close to $20. It may seem like an exaggeration, but the prices add up. Even when I do food shopping, I have to be fairly prepared to spend at least $400 for the bill. BJ’s is not the type of place for easy once a week shopping. Costco can be depending on what you need; it varies for everyone. Either way, lower social class would be neglected the most considering the prices and the little to no money saving bargains they claim to have.

At Stew Leonard’s (East Norwalk), Shoprite, and Stop N Shop (East & South Norwalk), there’s less of a cultural boundary and more of an intended social class advertisement. Stew Leonard’s is one of my favorite food stores. From my perspective the managers, average workers, kitchen staff, etc. provide this warm environment for mostly middle class and elderly. The elderly have more benefits since it’s in the same proximity of the store. Stews is more of a brand; you’d be paying more for milk, for instance, than if you were to have bought it from Shoprite. Stew and Stew Jr. own the store, and they have social and cultural control of who’s able to go into it. Someone who may solely depend on a bodega or small cheap market may not have interest in Stew Leonard’s. They could possibly go to Shoprite or Stop N Shop. Stop N Shop is a bit more expensive than Shoprite. Both appeal to all; it’s a preference. If it’s not Shoprite’s logo, of a cart filled with all kinds of goods, then it’s their popularity and publicity. Even Stop N Shop creates this advertisement that it’s a cheaper store with better savings. You could be getting more of your money’s worth if you’re doing a casual shopping.

When you think about it, food shopping can be extremely complicated. It’s all depends on where you live, the ethnicities around the area, and how much money you make in a certain social class. Someone living in Darien might think the average prices in Whole Foods are cheap opposed to someone who would shop at Shoprite.  Store owners, loyal customers, store location, and government which is involved with the finances set the environment for the store.