What's going on, Albuquerque?

New Movement on the Downtown Grocery Story

It seems that almost everyone would like to have a NEW grocer Downtown, something like Sunflower Market or Trader Joes. But, those grocers have been hesitant, or downright refused, to move into the area. Ranch Market has been one recent alternative, but it's not, well, culturally relevant, for some of us. Nor is it nutritionally acceptable for those of us trying to avoid obesity or diabetes or the like... for instance, I could not find ONE multigrain cracker brand/style in that store!

So, for the core area of D-town, DNA member and resident Susan Deichsel, who lives in Downtown town Neighborhood area just north of Lomas, is attempting to facilitate a conversation between the owner of Lowes Grocery (Lomas at 10th location specifically) and neighborhood residents. She is going to meet with the owner of the store in an attempt to improve the quality and selection of goods and services within the parameters of the existing ownership.

Please fill out the attached survey and mail it back to Susan ON OR BEFORE APRIL 15!

OR, THIS IS EASIER AND FASTER, use the attached LINK before April 15th if possible:

Improving Lowes? – Survey for Downtown residents and interested personals… http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K7XJF8M

It's easy and quick. Really!. And pass it around to anyone else that would be interested. Especially D-towners.

Just because the economy sucks don't mean we should stop asking for positive change Downtown.

Tags: DNA, Downtown, Grocery, Lowes, Market, Store, Urban, shopping

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Comment by Barelas Babe on April 1, 2010 at 3:40am: Thanks for doing this.

Comment by Benny the Icepick on April 1, 2010 at 11:59pm: Wow, Crista, thanks! I've only been to Lowe's a few times - when I absolutely had to - and most of the time I did not find what I needed. One time in particular, I was making soup for a sick friend, and had to substitute over half the ingredients because I couldn't find what I wanted. Needless to say, the soup sucked.

I'm pleasantly surprised to hear the owner of the store might be responsive to the needs of its clientele. They do have a rather captive market from a convenience standpoint; there's not a lot of incentive to change. But if they could turn this into more of a neighborhood asset than a well-I-don't-want-to-drive-far-so-I'll-suffer-with-this kind of place, it could really be an asset to the community - and profitable in the process.

Comment by DCMc on April 2, 2010 at 10:02am: I have never found Downtown Lowe's to be so bad. It is sort of like a tiny Smiths. I shop there weekly (where else can I get a 20 lb. bag of wild bird food for $6.00?) and find the possibility of them working with people in the neighborhood to expand their grocery selection very exciting. They already have a "Natural Foods" section so I'll bet they might be open to expanding it and gaining new customers. This truly would be smart, positive change for Downtown. Thanks to those who are working on it.

Comment by Crista on April 2, 2010 at 10:05am: Thanks for the comments folks - keep 'em comming, including suggestions for products YOU would like to see at Lowes. And, PLEASE TAKE THE SURVEY and send the link to friends too - these results will be discussed with the store owner. Cio!

Comment by Crista on April 2, 2010 at 10:11am: And yes, I KNOW that "don't" aint a word in this context Consider it artistic license....

Comment by Barelas Babe on April 2, 2010 at 6:03pm: I filled out my survey already, but I have a few more thoughts.
1. I'd love to see good quality local produce (preferably organic)
2. I really like the Mexican/New Mexican dried spices aisle at Lowe's - please don't lose that!
3. I haven't shopped for pasta at Lowe's in ages, but last time I tried, there were no whole wheat pasta packages
4. I'd love to see more local jam, local honey, locally baked bread, ...
5. One thing that ALWAYS ticks me off when I'm in Lowe's (and it only happens about 2-3 times a year - I probably stop in once a month for some items, including the Mexican spices mentioned above) is people smoking in the produce section. I have had mixed results from management when I've complained about this.

Comment by Hunter on April 2, 2010 at 6:40pm: "it's not, well, culturally relevant, for some of us. Nor is it nutritionally acceptable for those of us trying to avoid obesity or diabetes or the like..."

As compared to say, running all over the state to find the best cheeseburger. Now that's culturally relevant!

Comment by Stephen CM on April 4, 2010 at 10:50pm: Wow! This is exciting. I'm hoping the owner is receptive. I have heard from CABQ planners that no new grocery store has come Downtown because there isn't a critical mass of residents to support one. With the new housing developments that is bound to change. Still, the grocery chains look at there competition within something like a 3-mile radius, and there are options for Downtowners.

"Re-stocking" the existing Lowe's might prove better than bringing in a more bougie store like T'Joe's or Sunflower, although the prices at Lowe's are comparatively pretty high. Most of the salsa (the main product I buy there) can be bought for equal $ or cheaper at the co-op.