Went to the Apple Store tonight. I was finally seen 40 minutes after my appointment. They could help me! Yay! But no, very sorry, but they can’t. Boo… And I come home to an email of how much I was billed because I signed for it before they told me of the sorrowful mistake they had made. Boo again…
Love: Nordstrom, because of the fantastic service. Bath & Body Works, because that’s my guilty pleasure. Barnes & Noble, because books. Any yarn store. Fleet Feet, because they do a great job of getting me the right shoes for my problematic feet.
Hate: Any store in a mall. Walmart, on principle. Ross et al, because I need help with fashion and the service is non-existent.
Not sure yet: IKEA. I’ve only been in once, and I haven’t decided if I love or hate.
Love (really just like) Publix (and they aren’t just in Florida!) They typically have everything, stores clean and bright…but they are a bit pricier than everyone else around. Publix is the closest grocery to my home.
I do like their BOGO sales, which are practically the only times they’re cheaper than others.
They carry Boar’s Head meat and cheeses. Yay.
I like that they push your cart to your car and load your things into your car for you.
Oh, and if you have a favorite item that they don’t typically carry, they will order it for you.
Our Publix is 1/2 mile from our house and we love it.
Love? There are few stores that I actually love. Wegman’s, definitely - great product, good prices, fantastic service, AND they treat their workers well. Can’t immediately think of any others that aren’t restaurants.
Hate? Wal-Mart. I know a lot of people love (or at least patronize) that store, but I cannot see anything about it that is not poisonous for anyone not a major investor. Terrible product at prices that are only marginally better (or even worse!) than other comparable stores, all while dragging an already questionable industry lower in pay and treatment of employees.
^^ You said it better than I did, @cosmicfish , about Walmart.
I see that I’m the only one that branched out to restaurants. Any serious lovers or haters of certain restaurants? As I said earlier, I don’t love chains, but I do like Cheesecake Factory.
Love: Trader Joe’s, Costco, Marshalls (love the hunt and the challenge, ours are neatly arranged), Peet’s and Starbucks… and yes Walmart. They carry a good amount of basic good quality clothing - t-shirts, tank tops, workout gear etc. I find them to be well organized.
Hate: K-Mart, Toys-R-Us, Kohls (makes the local Goodwill seem like a well run, well arrange and organized place), any place that requires coupons/loyalty cards etc.
@chocchipcookie You should start a new thread. I bet most of us will post on it.
^^Nah. I just thought I’d mention restaurants too. No big deal
I do have the copycat recipe for Cheesecake Factory’s white Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, if you want it. Making it this weekend.
I’m not a “chain” girl…it’s where my DH and I depart. Of restaurant chains I like chipotle (so much we own stock), the Keg, snooze (breakfast restaurants in a few states), and In and Out. I do eat Pizza Hut.
I hate shopping, have a big family, and only care about getting what I need at low prices. Aldi and Walmart are about the only stores I go to regularly. Sometimes I go to Kohl’s if I have 30% off. Salvation Army, Goodwill, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot. That’s about it. I save a lot of $ by not shopping. I can’t say I love these stores, but I’m glad they’re close and cheap. Our Walmart has a sign advertising their new starting pay is $9/hr. It’s a nice Walmart–I would work there if I had to.
There are few chains that I really like - Five Guys is the only one that really comes to mind as someplace I actually look forward to. But then, I worked in restaurants (chain and independent) for most of a decade, and I have my reasons…
I won’t list the chains that I don’t like, because that would basically be a Wikipedia article on chain restaurants.
Chain restaurants – I know that for some reason, Olive Garden is a joke, but I like it. Good food, good prices, good service. I prefer Strings for Italian, but if I can’t talk everyone else into it, Olive Garden is fine with me.
I love In & Out.
For pancakes, IHOP. So much better than Dennys.
Trader Joes is sort of like Costco in that they weed out a lot of the mediocre products and only sell what most people like to buy. I can’t think of a single thing in Trader Joes that sucks… it’s all pretty good stuff. The only downside to TJ’s is that it’s ridiculously trendy right now and therefore it’s always packed.
Stores I like: Fry’s Electronics (amazing selection, and I enjoy the different store themes), Costco, and Home Depot
Stores I’m neutral about: Walmart
Stores I don’t like: Sears, Staples
Food? The ones I love are local places, but chains I like include Panera Bread, Macaroni Grill, Habit Burger, Islands. and others. But surprisingly our favorite pizza is Costco! (Gotta love the price too!)
I was just about to eviscerate chain restaurants. But then @claremontmom just mentioned Habit. My “i hate chains” rant ruined! The Habit rules.
Panera Bread, as far as chains go, is great.
^^Love Panera too, BB. Never heard of Habit or Islands. Lookingforward: I love to cook, but not bake. I would not make a cheesecake at home. Thanks anyway! 
I also like Lord & Taylor. Not Chicos or J Jill. I do like Talbot’s on occasion, WHBMarket on occasion…