Shopping at Berkeley Bowl: non-denominational? We couldn’t resist hoisting from the comments this reflection by EBGuy on food shopping as religion (prompted by today’s opening of Berkeley’s Trader Joe’s) : I have a theory about Berkeley.* With organized religion on the decline, we look to food to provide a shared communal experience. Grocery stores are our cathedrals. […]
Safeway
Posted inHousing & Development
Safeway’s plan for Albany store meets resistance
Safeway wants its customers to have a peak experience while shopping at its stores. Trouble is, many neighborhood residents seem to be skeptical of the impacts those “enhanced” experiences will offer. In recent years, Safeway has met tough resistance to its plans to transform its 1,710 stores into “lifestyle stores,” complete with in-hour bakeries, floral […]
Posted inBusiness
Paper or plastic? Or no real choice at all
The gentleman at the check-out (you know the one I mean — he’s distinguished-looking, always works the “15 items or fewer” register), was probably taken aback at how excited I was to see paper bags with handles this morning when I ran in to the Claremont Safeway to grab some groceries. It niggles me the way […]
Posted inBusiness, Events
Unions protest Safeway’s toxic cleaning
Two dozen janitors protested outside the Rockridge Safeway at lunchtime today, to draw attention to health, safety and environmental concerns associated with toxic cleaning chemicals used at local Safeway supermarkets. In wet and miserable weather, the protesters wore protective masks saying “Toxic Stinks” and “Green Cleaning Now!” The janitors are members of SEIU United Service […]
Posted inBusiness
Plans for Safeway on Shattuck
Emunah Hauser writes: The Shattuck Safeway community meeting Monday night at the East Bay JCC on Walnut Street was low-key. Visualizations of the latest plan were displayed around the room. Safeway representatives were available for questions, comments and conversation. The plan will be submitted to the city by the end of the week. Lowney Architecture […]