| rev:text
| - Welcome to HEINEN-LAND ! ! !
After reading a number of positive, super-enthusiastic reviews---some amusingly over-the-top---if not for products mentioned (meats, cheeses, wines, etc.), with the phrasing and descriptions used, one could imagine this might be a theme park and not a grocery store.
Yes, I too, really enjoy shopping here. It can often be a fun and enlightening experience, especially when I find a new product that I'd just heard of or read about. (No more driving down to Akron's West Point Market to pick up the latest newly re-discovered fruit or vegetable, or imported specialty cheese.) Heinen's is always clean, the employees always friendly, efficient and helpful. I like the lighting, too. Not dim...not glaringly bright...just right. Everything here is conducive to pleasurable, relaxing, unhurried shopping. So what if you're lulled by the welcoming atmosphere into spending more money than you expected? Some things might be just pennies more, but I've also found items here for less than Big Bird. Between the two---I'd say it's close to a wash. I do have my favorite departments here---and the ones that I generally push my cart past without stopping.
I've been shopping at Heinen's in Rocky River for many years now---began when some of these other reviewers were probably still toddling around in diapers---so I've had my share of experiences to give an honest, fair review.
Highly Recommended:
VEGETABLES . . . excellent quality, variety, and pricing---
all as if freshly-picked or harvested; much better Asian
selection than GE
FRUITS . . . . . . . .. when on special; prices do seem to be
higher than GE at times
CHEESES . . . . . . in addition to local and national brands
(deli), a vast selection of $ to $$$$ imported (behind deli)
offering some of the finest Blues, Stiltons, and Cheddars
I've ever tasted.
KITCHENWARE CART . . . unexpected and indulgently
impulsive items, such as Le Creuset cookware
Recommended with Reservations:
MEATS . . . . . . . . . 8-10 years ago of more consistent
higher-quality than today; most recent disappointment
was lamb that had to be mutton---very strong. No
problem returning with receipt.
BAKERY . . . . . . . . not everything is made by Heinen's;
they out-source some items---even though it may not be
marked on the label. Good things...some not so good.
If not happy, try others until you find what you like. Other
than the breads, the only things that I purchase with
confidence are the Apple-Caramel-Pecan pie (out-
sourced) and "My Grandma's of New England" cinna-
mon-walnut coffee cake.
Not Recommended:
PREPARED FOODS . . . tried at least a dozen different
items in the last 3-4 years; never bought any one of them
a second time.
But I'm probably more particular than most since I've been cooking and baking for years, and always striving for perfection. Do try, though. You might find something you'll really like---especially if you're not fussy or if you don't cook.
PARKING LOT
Now, THIS is where you might get the sensation of being in an amusement park. The thrilling "Am I Going the Right Way?" ride. For me, a close Dodge-Em only a couple of times, but more like Cedar Point's single-lane, one-way Kiddie Turnpike Cars. I'm accustomed to the layout, so I can fully concentrate on other drivers who aren't. It was obviously designed to keep traffic moving in "mostly" single directions, which makes sense, but until you're familiar with it, choose a parking space nearer the perimeter.
TIPPING
Yes, the kids are told they cannot accept tips. Yes, the kids will tell you this. Yes, I think there's a sign stating "no tipping". YES, I tip them anyway---the hundreds of times I've shopped here. "Just take it, please." In the car, when I return the cart tag, I discreetly give them .25-.50 per bag. With this "policy" Heinen's may simply (and sensibly) want to separate themselves from the practice of tipping, and the easiest way to do this is to say "No Tipping". Heinen's can't ignore it because considerate customers will ALWAYS tip. Likewise, some would be infuriated if there was a sign "Please Tip"---or if it was automatically added onto receipts---so I've taken the liberty to interpret their "policy" as "Do the Right Thing"--- for teenagers making minimum wage.
.
|
![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)
![[cxml]](/fct/images/cxml_doc.png)
![[csv]](/fct/images/csv_doc.png)
![[text]](/fct/images/ntriples_doc.png)
![[turtle]](/fct/images/n3turtle_doc.png)
![[ld+json]](/fct/images/jsonld_doc.png)
![[rdf+json]](/fct/images/json_doc.png)
![[rdf+xml]](/fct/images/xml_doc.png)
![[atom+xml]](/fct/images/atom_doc.png)
![[html]](/fct/images/html_doc.png)