The Hottest Social Scene in Town Isn’t the Singles’ Bar. It’s the Supermarket

Wall Street Journal ^ | 3/10/18 | Anne Marie Chaker

[Rebelbase]

When Bob Schneider goes out on a Friday night, he no longer heads to the local singles bar. Instead, he goes to the grocery store.

“I once dated a woman from the potato section at Mariano’s,” says Mr. Schneider, a 67-year-old semiretired, twice-divorced lobbyist in Oak Brook, Ill. “The next thing you know we’re at the wine bar and then we’re dating.”

Supermarkets—those havens of the not-so-scintillating chore of scouring numbered aisles, pushing carts and perusing produce—are finding a new identity as a social hub in communities. Parents now bring their children here to play, retirees gather for Bingo, and singles find romance.

Grocery stores are fulfilling the new role as traditional gathering spots, from shopping malls to social clubs like Lions Clubs and Rotary International, continue to shrink from decades-earlier peaks. Malls, in particular, are in danger of extinction. Credit Suisse has projected that up to 25% of malls will close over the next five years, as the internet continues to reshape the way Americans shop.

[V K Lee]

A gun? Sorry those are no longer allowed. Banned don’t ya know.

Have found that the inquiry is usually from a married man. Happily married? Not after his wife sends him on a errand with no details on what he is expected to bring home after the hunt. The reason so many males wear loafers - they failed to get details in tying their laces.

[elcid1970]

My favorite Food Lion is walking distance from a university campus. Lots of college babes there & as the weather gets warmer like 70 degrees is the magic number, they turn out in short shorts with no exceptions. Shop & enjoy.

Then I go home to my wife. But just because I’m on a diet doesn’t mean I can’t look at the menu. Lately for some reason I keep forgetting something on the grocery list & have to run back to the FL to get it. Strange. Must be getting old.

;^)

[PapaBear3625]

There's a Wegman’s Supermarket scheduled to open near me in a month or so.I've read that Wegman’s is so fantastic that they even have fan clubs in areas where they're located.I just hope that I don't weigh 400 pounds a year from now.

I occasionally to to Wegman's. It's pricier than my local regular supermarket, but they have things that aren't carried by my local supermarket.

[Gay State Conservative]

Depends on the Wegmans. In less affluent areas the stores are far less nice, both in terms of selection and clientele.

I've never been to a Wegman's but there's a "Star Market" (Eastern New England...mainly Massachusetts) right across the street from one that I've been to.They're located in a *very* affluent area.That Star Market is,IMO,amazing...the perfect place to browse "food porn".I assume that,given that the nearby Wegman's is brand new,it *too* is fantastic.

The one opening near me is also located in a rather affluent area...although I,sadly,cannot claim to be affluent. :-)

[BunnySlippers]

They look like regular males .... the kind that want a beer and something to eat during the day. Sheesh!

I feel comfortable sitting there watching sports with them.

[minnesota_bound]

#60 More of the ladies
http://dailycelebfwd.blogspot.com/2012/01/towies-lauren-goodger-and-lydia-bright.html

[Trillian]

I’ve been asked how I make my eggplant lots of times, nothing weird though.

[jmacusa]

Yup.