Anyone can go to the Marietta square or old historic Roswell and appreciate the charm of those places. I explored several places and could have shared them; however, during my brief stint in Atlanta’s suburbs, I wanted my blog post to focus on an ordinary experience: grocery shopping.
Living in my own apartment for the first time, I enjoyed doing my own budgeting and meal planning. I quickly learned to enjoy Publix over all other grocery stores in my area – not because their prices were necessarily the best (great buy-one-get-one sales, though), but because you could expect smiles at the cash registers and conversations in the aisles. When a hundred dollars was stolen from me at my local Publix, the store manager took the time to go back through security footage and find exactly who stole from me – and then he paid for my groceries. I’ll never forget that kind bald man.
So, as a loyal customer, I went into a Publix in Sandy Springs at lunchtime. Picking up a box of fabric softener sheets, it suddenly dawned on me: I was in the middle of an amazing experience.
I looked down the row of aisles neatly stocked. Every kind of food you could want is on those shelves – enough of it to feed a regimen. Some of those foods originated thousands of miles from Sandy Springs, and yet, through an efficient logistical chain, have all made their way here. The aisles have enough space to maneuver comfortably; displays are located to catch the eye. All of this space is wonderfully well-planned.
Glossy apples, perfectly spherical dimpled oranges, ripe strawberries in clear plastic packaging… Lettuce and spinach dewy in bins along the walls, watered by the gentle misting spray. This produce section is so attractive and brightly colored – by FOOD! By lovely fruits and vegetables that grew from the earth.
And the floral section! Lovely fresh flowers of all descriptions, a whole bank of them. They’re elegant. They beg to be taken home to brighten your dining room.
Near the door is a lady at a stand, demonstrating a new recipe. A little ways off, the deli sends out a delicious aroma: sub sandwiches, fried chicken wings, onion rings, chicken tenders. All kinds of people from road workers to businessmen eat here at the small café
I go to an open kiosk where I can scan my groceries myself, bag them, pay, and go. It takes about a minute and a half. As I leave, I catch an employee’s eye and she says, “Have a great day.” I smile back and say, “You too!” and leave the store feeling that our brief exchange has put a little more civility in the world.
Admittedly, this stuff is a little bizarre to write. No, Publix isn’t paying me to write any of this (a shame too). But going to the grocery store is something we all do and we all relate to. Appreciate it. Appreciate the ordinary things. When you stop and think about it, they hold so much to love.