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Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Mañacap: Filling up the grocery bag
By Mae Mañacap
Mallrover
Grocery-shopping. I'm not quite certain what's with mothers and grocery shopping, but it's almost like they know their grocery store as well as their everyday, throw-anything-in black tote.
Like the self-appointed supply re-filler at home, they confidently maneuver shopping carts around the grocery aisle, rarely missing boxes of ready-to-cook pancakes nestled next to vanilla syrups, and stopping over in gondulas where rows of jelly jams are.
At times, I find it nearly impossible how they never get lost around the towering shelves, easily zoning in to the newly-moved detergent bars without needing any help.
I swear I'm nowhere competent in the grocery shelves, even if I have a map at hand. Sure I check the signages above each counter before I enter unfamiliar grounds, but that doesn't keep me from pushing carts back and forth in desperate attempts to find the cheapest taco shell.
When Metro Ayala's grocery expansion wrapped up months ago, it took me three redundant trips around Counter 11 before I finally found the elusive powdered milk.
Thankfully less bothersome to move around, what with a more spacious area now, the renovated grocery store has less "cart-collision" incidents since the expansion.
It's a long trip to the meat, fresh and dairy sections located at the rear end of the store, especially since it's irresistible not to stop over goodies and candies or grab microwave-ready popcorn along the way.
On one end of the store are bottled wine selections brewed from Napa, South Africa, France and other wine destinations. Next to it are imported goods which I enjoy checking out, if only for the mere intention of educating myself of recipe innuendos.
Other than payday or weekend, counter queues are not as long, owing as well to the substantial number of quick paying counters.
Savvy shopper. The early bird who detests filling up the grocery bag on a rush hour weekend often shops when all others are still snuggled in bed.
At Gaisano Country Mall, the supermarket opens as early as 8 a.m., conveniently allowing shoppers with a full day ahead a good reason to put grocery-shopping on top of the to-do list. Although some shelves are not as often-replenished as in other stores, the basics are all there.
In fact, with its early grocery hours, homeowners nearby who suddenly realize that there's nothing for breakfast, may conveniently rush to the air-conditioned store for a quick supply of bacon, frothe or sugar.
But the frugal spender, on one hand, flocks to Colonnade Mall where weekly supplies are pegged at a more affordable rate (in a time of incredulous price increases, a cent's difference matters) while its meat produce and sea bounty arrive fresh daily.
No wonder some stalwarts of Carbon are giving up the hurly-burly of Sunday market in exchange for a more comfortable, still on-the-budget grocery shopping at the air-conditioned downtown mall.
(September 20, 2005 issue)
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