I'd like to share with you all the experience I just had at the Smith's grocery stores on 8th and 9th:
As the only smithstix outlet near me, I decided to stop by there to pick up tickets for the Thrice show coming up. I didn't have a bike lock and since the cashier is at the front, I didn't think it would be a problem if I rolled my bike in a little to buy the tickets as long as I wasn't in anyone's way. So I waited for the person in front of me to finish up then walked my bike over to the counter, smiled at the lady, and asked her for the tickets. She stares at me for a moment, and tells me I can't bring my bike into the store. I was completely taken aback by her comment. I mean, I wasn't in anyone's way or causing any trouble! Not only that, but a couple Midnight Masses ago a bunch of us went in there and Emilio went all the way in with his bike! So I replied with, "Whole Foods lets you bring your bike in." And she replies with, "We don't care what WHOLE FOODS does." (say that in a snotty tone) "It's going to take you two minutes to sell me tickets, I'll be in and out. Are you going to sell me the tickets or not?" said I. "This is a grocery store, I'm going to have to talk to the manager." So off she goes to speak to the manager as my temper rises. She comes back and tells me it's a
HEALTH CODE VIOLATION to bring my bike into the store!
It should be a HEALTH CODE VIOLATION not to take your bike to the store! Now, this isn't the first time that this has happened...Chelsea had a similar situation happen to her a while back when she was merely trying to use the ATM at the very front of the store. And let me tell you that the employees aren't nice about it either. If that woman had asked me nicely to take my bike outside and come back in, I would have been much more obliging. However, I have personally decided to boycott all Smith's Food and Drug stores and suggest that all bicyclists do the same, and support Whole Foods instead. Let me know what you think.
I think I'm too poor for whole foods.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to start taking my bike into smith's with baskets on it, and call it my shopping cart.
that particular Smiths is filled with asses who care nothing of cyclists. they moved the bike rack once, and i thought they got rid of it, so i started locking up to the carousel, and the manager came out and was pissed at me.
ReplyDeletei try to avoid that Smiths like the plague.
the one on 4th south has been much better.
I'm down to boycott. I'd like to call Smith's and the Health Departement on this "code."
ReplyDeleteDavey.. don't know you very well. I wanted to add though that I'm on a huge budget & shopping for two. It's all about bulk, sales, coupons, and reading the small print on price tags. :)
K, since we are talking of stores and bicycles, do you visit the NPS Store off Redwood Road oft? I take my bike cart over there, as the previous "what people carry on their bikes" article attest, and it works out well.
ReplyDeleteIt is @ 1600 Empire Road off of Redwood Road and California Ave.
Most of the bicycle ride is smooth to it, though at the California Ave/Redwood Road intersection it can get a bit congested with traffic.
You do not have to have a membership.
more details:
ReplyDeleteNPS
i can not believe that happen to you! after my experiances there, i would have thought that they didn't unless you caused some type of accident! oh , i would have asked her to resite the code for me and told her that your bike is no different from the health risk that a shopping cart can cause! i wish i would have been there! i would have had your back! i do have your back! i will boycott that smith's! you know what i think i will go in there with my bike , and let them say somthing to me! she was a bully thats all there is to it!
ReplyDeleteyo, i've been to NPS not bad at all! patrick even found some cheap bike stuff there! also, you can get some good deals at Whole Foods, if you know how to shop.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the back-up guys. We should all go in there with our bikes and baskets like Davey said and use them as a shopping cart! Because it's true...how is it different? The carts roll outside on the road...and people are allowed to bring those portable carts inside! Anyone up for grocery shopping this evening?
ReplyDeleteEsther always ready for the bicycle revolution. :)
ReplyDeleteI think I have fought enough with that particular Smiths to hold me over for a lifetime.
Though I am not without ideas of activism.
You could get a bike and ulock it to the bicycle rack on the far side with a Bicycle Health Code Violation listing attached to the side.
You could gather a bunch of mini bikes that have signs that state "Health Code Violation", attach them to your back, walk in and see the fun.
giddyup.
I'd like to see Thrice again, but only if they promised not to play any of their new acoustic stuff. Wait, what was this article about?
ReplyDelete