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New QFC - reviews?

Started 2 years ago by JenV
Latest reply from Jiggers

JenV
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just went to the new QFC for lunch. getting into the parking garage was a nightmare from 42nd. once in the garage, they BLARE music at you. thanks, now I have "Unbreak my Heart" stuck in my head all day. :) The store itself on the inside is gorgeous. I went to the sushi counter. the sushi is good. also got a mixed fruit salad at the deli. Also good. Elevators are deadly slow, and I couldn't find the stairs to get back up to the car. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

Posted 2 years ago #
austin
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I think the new QFC is alright. So far I haven't noticed it being over the top or exceptional but nice enough. I went two times yesterday, once in a car and once on foot, and I didn't make a point of checking out everything. I don't think I've ever been to a grocery store on opening day before, and I was joined by most of the rest of the neighborhood. I found the parking garage to be somewhat unpleasant, reminiscent of the garage under blue c sushi in fremont, but less roomy. Cars were honking at each other and the lanes are narrow enough that if you're not in an automobile, you're in the way. I'd have thought that with the unfortunate parking situation at Jefferson Square they'd have made a point of setting up a less awkward garage, but they did not. Maybe it'll be better when the grand-opening rush dies down. Also I realize that taste in music is subjective but the music they play over the PA system in the garage is out of place at best. The stairs to the garage are on the other side of starbucks from the checkout lines, near the front door.. When I first came down from the garage I couldn't tell if I was inside or outside. I was inside.
I found the microbrew 6-pack selection to be less ample than other QFCs I've been to but better than safeway, and the 12-pack area seemed like it was mostly redhook and deschutes. However the 22 oz bottles selection is nice. The produce section looked good for a grocery store. I didn't see a lot of fresh baked goods, maybe it was my timing? Safeway has french bread that I like, and they also sell 99% isopropyl, which is relatively uncommon. So while the new store is nice, and will have novelty value for some time, it seems little redundant for the location. I don't have a problem with it though, and am glad they didn't put a hole there instead.

Posted 2 years ago #
KBear
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"and they also sell 99% isopropyl"

For when Deschutes or Redhook just won't do?

Posted 2 years ago #
bertha
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Store - Nice, not exceptional
Parking - BAD, BAD, BAD, BAD, ad infinitum

Posted 2 years ago #
saddleshoes15
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They have a bigger variety of organic groceries and vegetables. I asked the produce guy where they get their organic fruit and vegetables. They said local and all the same places that PCC gets theirs.Their prices are cheaper than Pcc also.

Posted 2 years ago #
austin
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lol kbear
It's for cleaning one's functional glass art. :)

Also I can't say enough about getting that sidewalk back, what a relief.

Posted 2 years ago #
GoGo
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Agree totally about the horrendous parking garage. Was a little shocked to find out that they didn't carry pancetta, a few of the deli people didn't even know what it was. Bakery area seemed to be lacking, but the place was a madhouse so maybe I missed something.

Posted 2 years ago #
JayDee
Member Profile

Well, in chatting with the wine steward she said that the wine selection is temporarily dictated by corporate until she gets her feet wet, and used to the store. The selection will be more store-specific over time. That said, QFC does offer a different selection than other places, and some prices are lower than Safeway or MM if you use the card.
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1/2 the people in the store were looky loos wandering around, likely aided and abetted by the new store staff (I think they are still in training). I ran into Corporate Types admiring their new toy, and had a nice new checker who was pleasant and saw to it I was checked out quickly.
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The store reminds me of the old Larrys in Lower QA in feel, and the parking is tight. But it is a close walk from the Junction and overall I am glad they are here. Less CO2 emissions for grocery shopping.

Posted 2 years ago #
AlkiRagdoll
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Visited at noon yesterday -- too many people in too small of a space. Didnt see anything unique, but felt they opened before they were really ready (place is dirty). Had same parking experience and boombox blasting musak in garage. Went today just because it was on my way home... and same reaction, tho' music seems under control, but parking was worse. Will wait a few more weeks to have the place settle in. I WILL NOT shop JeffSquare Safeway,so I am glad for the new QFC.

Posted 2 years ago #
thee
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totally underwhelming. overkill in all the wrong places. bland as hell. that being said, way better than safeway.

Posted 2 years ago #
ellenater
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I've been twice, once on foot, once in the car. Opening day was just a look-see and visit to Starbucks. Great, prompt service and our steamers were perfect. I thought the store was very pretty but not too over the top like Whole Foods is. Still looks like a grocery. The big windows are beautiful and the sidewalk is really great.

The next visit was for actual shopping. Am I the only one who likes the garage music? I thought it was hilarious. Also the concrete still smells like a cake baking. Yum. Spaces are too tight. It's about the same as the TJ garage in the University District, maybe a little tighter in the aisles. Elevator was wonky, took us down instead of up. Was not super slow, though.

Staff were friendly and helpful, including at the pharmacy. Layout was good and I am picky on that! The seafood area looked great and the sole we had was killer, as was the chard! The gelato case is VERY enticing but I haven't partaken yet. The sushi case is very nice, also. I'm not a huge bakery person anymore so didn't even look. Prices were average, IMO.

If you go soon, you can have an entire meal of samples throughout the store.

In general, I'm elated!

Posted 2 years ago #
swimcat
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The garage Musak was killing me- Clay Aiken?!?!?! Ugh- I just felt bad for the valets, that they have to listen to that all day long! The garage was tight also- as I was leaving, I noticed that a Honda Element was almost at the height restriction as it pulled in. How are Suburbans or big trucks supposed to fit???

I enjoyed the new store- it felt small, but it reminded me of shopping on Capital Hill, which I miss so I enjoyed this experience. Lots of employees about, ready to help and please the customers. I skipped the deli and bakery but know I'll be back there to shop since they do have good prices when the club card is used.

Posted 2 years ago #
maplesyrup
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I shop at the other Safeway but I'm sort of curious what some of you don't like about the Jefferson Square store. Seems pretty nice to me.

Posted 2 years ago #
JenV
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Jefferson Sq Safeway = dirty, bad produce, multiple items in deli past expiration date - went once to buy a meat/cheese tray for a work party and it was 2 weeks past sell-by date...also, one time I was there and saw a moldy bag of beef jerky for sale. Beef Jerky doesn't generally mold, as a rule - so who even knows how old it was. blech. oh, and the parking is ridiculous. I don't patronize any business there unless I am on foot - I feel bad, because Square 1 Books is such a great store with such a crappy location.

Posted 2 years ago #
The Velvet Bulldog
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The BF and I walked over and checked it out last night. I was entranced by the cheeses! I hardly ever THINK about cheese and there I was, wanting to try all these crazy cheeses. I'm lame so I just left with some Gouda... The Gelato is fab--also left with some Bavarian Mint--danger yum! I think they should call out their Organic produce a bit better--it's sort of hidden all smooshed in with everything else. The sushi chefs were very friendly and made me want to buy sushi--but I needed more veg, so I got the veg wrap, which was quite good. Seems like one of those stores I'll go to from time to time for certain things, or in a pinch. Some of their prices are pretty ridiculous.

Posted 2 years ago #
wundrgrrrl
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I love the new QFC! Yay produce! Yay quality meat and fish! Even lobster!

Flip side: I think the parking garage is worse than the Jefferson Sq lot. Not easy to get in and out at all... the mainways are so narrow - 2 cars can hardly pass each other going in and out! Hopefully I'll get lucky and find street parking every time :)

Posted 2 years ago #
Jiggers
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I'm not the owner, but I would think that Q.F.C's intention was to draw more foot traffic from the immediate area. If they wanted folks to come far away in their cars, they would have looked for more ample parking space to accomadate. It is a true neighborhood store because of its location. Also, as a former worker in a major grocery store, I am impressed with the layout and space the store provides shoppers from end to end. It's going to take time for the neighborhood to realize that there's a better option than junkalunka Safeway in the Junction.

Posted 2 years ago #
swimcat
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Jiggers, I think that is the most positive post I've ever seen from you :)

I have a question about grocery store layout in general too- why are the frozen cases always in the middle of the store? Those are the last items I purchase so it would be nice if they were at one side of the store so I don't have to loop back and grab icecream (and potentially forget it- the horror!) after I pick up the other groceries.

Posted 2 years ago #
KBear
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I don't think grocery stores are organized for the shoppers' convenience. They're organized to sell as much stuff as possible. The more times you have to walk through the store, the more likely you are to see something else you might want to buy.

Posted 2 years ago #
miws
Member Profile

One word about the parking. I cruised through the new QFC about a couple hours or so ago, just to check it out on my way to Bartells.

Haven't had a car for years, so don't know the likliehood that I'll be checking out the garage, so can't really speculate on this particular location, without knowing the structural aspect, ie; how many pillars, the spacing between them, and how that might play into whether they could have put in fewer spaces, and had them, and/or the aisles be wider. It may be physically laid out in such a manner, that they didn't have many options.

My experience on this, is simply from working in several downtown parking locations from 1983-1998. The highest level I ever achieved, was location manager, so my observations and opinions, are limited to that level of experience. No design experience, no "suit" positions in the parking business that would have given me a better knowledge of this aspect of the business.

My guess, is that although QFC corporate may have had a say in around how many spaces they'd reqiure for their store, I don't no if they would have had any input on the structural design itself. I may be wrong, but I believe the responsibility of structural part, would have been in the hands of the architect(s), with heavy input, and likely final say, by the developer.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say, is the layout of the parking, is likely not QFC's "fault".

Overhead clearance was also mentioned. Although I'm sure buildings regs may have played a part in it to a certain extent, my strong hunch, is that too, falls back on the architect(s)/developer. The developer is going to want more bang for his buck, and will want to have every square inch possible, to be able to be leased out.

Most of the locations I had worked in downtown, were in the 6'2"-6'5" range. Most of them were built in the '60's and '70's, before the SUV craze. I have casually noticed higher clearances maybe around 7', in more recent years. It had truly become one of the biggest headaches for me in the last few years in that business. The last location I worked, building opened in 1972, was 6'2". I started there in '93, and left in '98, when I quit the business. I swear for the first couple years or so, I only had to "chase out" oversized vehicles around three times per week. The last few years, as SUV's became more common, it seemed more like 3 times per *day* sometimes. Fortunately, the cashier booth was at the bottom of the ramp, so I could usually catch the drivers of overheight vehicles before they got past the *very visible clearance sign*, with the *very obvious pvc pipe "headache bar"* that would go "clunk clunk", (without damaging their vehicle, if they hit it. This, of course, was provided I wasn't facing the register, while checking another customer out, essentially having my back to those entering. (Although I'd usually hear the "clunk clunk"!) Many people had no idea how high their vehicle was, and some even excpected the parking employee should know. With experience, an attendant could get a general idea, but in some cases, there could be two identical looking vehicles, with the only difference being different sized tires, and that little bit of change in height, could be the difference in *just* making it, or scraping along sprinkler pipes and ductwork.

So, people *please* know the overhead clearance of your higher vehicles, it's the driver's responsibility to know so. If it looks close, don't chance it. Depending on the design of the garage entrance, your only choice may be to back out onto the street, and any other drivers behind you, are gonna be coming here to WSB Forums to "Rant" about you! ;-). Also, as mentioned above, a change in tire size can make a difference, if you've barely squeezed in to a specific garage before, and throwing that ski rack on top at the start of winter, can make a *huge* difference in your ability to park in that garage you've been parking in all summer!

After more than eleven years of being out of the business, I *still* have traumatic flashbacks of the oversized vehicles coming down that entrance ramp! ;-) In fact, the increase in frequency that I mentioned above, was one of several reasons I decided to get out of the business. Seriously!

Mike

Posted 2 years ago #
kitty
Member Profile

Funny, I thought I was the only one who thought the parking situation was awful. Yes, maybe they expected more local/walk in traffic, but how do you carry a weeks worth of groceries and a baby home?

I thought the entry way and produce sections were WAY too crowded with displays to navigate the Costco sized carts.

I wanted some apple cider. I was directed twice to the same isle, which only had TONS of OJ, but no apple cider. Somebody tried to talk me into apple iced tea instead. When I insisted that's what I wanted, she said "Oh, you really like the stuff, huh?" The next employee I approached for help suggested I go to PCC.

I went to the deli to purchase salami. While I was immediately approached for help, it was an excruciatingly long time for my order to get finished. I wanted a 1/4 lb chunk of salami. I specified not sliced, that I wanted one large piece. First it was handed to me in 4 chunks. I had to ask again for one chunk. Many minutes later, I ask what's going on (I was polite!), and they were "having trouble peeling the wrapper/paper off the salami. What? I've never had the paper peeled off!

I went in out of curiosity, but will stick with Husky Deli and PCC. However, nice to have a place within walking distance to pick up a couple items that doesn't have outrageous prices (Thriftway) and I refuse to step foot in Safeway.

Posted 2 years ago #
GenHillOne
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Drove by around 1:00 and there were a dozen 12-ish-year-olds with skateboards outside the entrance. Yippee that they're already using it as a skate park, but the time struck me as odd. Which neighboring school has kids out at that time? Even for an open-campus lunch, it was late. And btw...Jefferson Square parking lot was never easier to navigate than today!

Posted 2 years ago #
Lucy
Member Profile

I really like the new QFC. Yes the parking garage is a bit tight, so leave the SUV at home. Or park on the street. Or even better bring your granny cart and WALK.
Excellent produce/deli/meat/wine departments. Selection is very good. Staff seem to know their stuff & the checkers are quite cheery. I'm over the moon that I will never have to step into the nasty Jefferson Square Safeway again.

Posted 2 years ago #
PDieter
Member Profile

The bike rack is also a joke, pretty much nonfunctional even if it's not buried by product.

the sushi (sample) was horrible IMHO...bad rice. nice whitebread deli for folks who need someone else to cook for them, but the shelf stock was underwhelming (agree with Thee). Better than safeway.

they certainly left an opening for whole foods to step into.

they have a bread slicer....that's good.

Posted 2 years ago #
Jo
Member Profile

Went today first time.
Really expensive, I think.
Huge frozen food section. Nice
Bought sushi - awful! Was really disappointed. Met Market's is the best for grocery store sushi.
Bought some Uli's Andouille from the meat counter. I make special trips to the Pike Place Market to buy this directly from Uli's, so am delighted that it's available now in the 'hood.
Couldn't resist and bought a couple of pieces of fried chicken from the deli. Verrrry gooooood! Mmmmmm.
Am going to stick with my Met Market. Looooove that store and it's closer to home. But might go into QFC occasionally for the Andouille and fried chicken.

Posted 2 years ago #
terriba
Member Profile

In reference to the people that are saying to park on the street, please don't. The street parking for those of us that live on 41st and 42nd is already very limited and has been horrendous since all of the construction began. The developer put in a garage so please use it. No offense meant :-)

That said, I am very happy with having a store that is right around the corner and has much better produce and meats than the one in Jefferson square.

Posted 2 years ago #
AdmiralJaneway
Member Profile

Shopped there yesterday out of curiosity and to use the coupon they mailed out. I agree about the parking garage. Narrow path and tight parking spaces. I like the store itself and found the staff to be helpful. Good produce section. Bought honeycrisp apples - delicious! Ditto for Uli sausages.
It's nice to have a choice of another store. I'll start browsing through the weekly QFC ad now that they're in the neighborhood.

Posted 2 years ago #
jamminj
Member Profile

First of all, wow, didn't such hatred existed for Safeway. guess our family has been living in a bubble on the grocery store wars.
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I visited the new QFC twice now and have liked it. Nothing a real WOW factor, but a nice selection, and some good prices due to the opening. But even with the few items I picked up on my trips, was surprised at the price when checking out. Parking - in city grocery store - what I expected i guess.
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But for our family, I guess we will have to stick mostly with the disgustingly gross jefferson square safeway. It fits our budget and what we can afford right now and the staff has always been nice to us.
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But nice to see choices locally.

Posted 2 years ago #
HunterG
Member Profile

I have the "Q" on a ticker. Its a new store - so of course it will be beautiful and have tons of helpful staff, but once labor dollars start to show themselves I can almost guarantee that what we see now will not be the same.

I worked for Kroger for 2+ years and they for the most part, treat their employees like a number - AKA crap. Numbers and $$ get in the way of customer service and appropriate treatment of their people.

Thusly this negativity gets handed down through the ranks showing up in the food and the overall attitude of the workers. (Not trying to insult, just speaking from experience.)

And no I am not just saying this due to my affiliations with another grocer in the area. I wish them good luck, we don't need another HOLE is West Seattle if this place doesn't work out.

Posted 2 years ago #
carrieann
Member Profile

I live on about 2 blocks up from the new QFC. And as someone who would often walk by the "creepy old boarded-up building" (as put by my daughter) that used to be there, I'm glad to see the new store completed and opened. I took my son in yesterday before picking my daughter up at school, and had a mostly positive experience. In fact, the only really negative thing I could find was the attitude of some of the other shoppers there. (One woman was, rather loudly, flipping out about the elevators taking a little while to arrive, and seemed confused about what floor to press, not remembering where she parked.)

After reading the reviews about the "awful music", I made it a point to roll down my window and listen for it when I pulled into the parking garage. I could hear some tunes, but it seems like they must've turned it down, because it wasn't blaring or any more obnoxious than the music I've heard at other stores. (Ever walked into an Old Navy?) I drive a larger car and was able to navigate and find a spot just fine, but can see the potential for trouble when it's perhaps a busier shopping time.

The samples (produce, sushi, baked goods, coffee, meat, etc) were abundant and tasty, and the employees handing them out were friendly and helpful (ended up with a seasoned skirt steak after the gentleman in the meat department offered some up and gave his input on how I should prepare it) Found some excellent savings (seedless grapes for 78cents/lb, 4 containers of raspberries/$5, Annie's Mac & Cheese for 99cents...) and, as always, left with more than was on my original list. I had offers of assistance when it appeared I was looking for an item, but not in a pushy or annoying way. The employees I encountered were all really great, actually, down to the kid who gave a smile and genuine, "Thank you!" when he saw me rolling a train of carts back to the elevators after someone ditched them in the middle of other nearby parking spots.

I went in there with an open mind, hopeful for good things but realizing they're a new establishment with some kinks to work out. Honestly, I'm glad that there's now a QFC closer than Westwood and intend to do as much of my shopping there as possible (with some Met Market and PCC still tossed in for good measure). I've long-since been a Safeway shopper, but it seems like things have really gone down hill @ the Junction one.

Posted 2 years ago #
Jiggers
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That spot were Q.F.C. is now used to be a place to just store postal service vehicles. It looked smaller than it was. They really used every bit of square footage to their advantage.

Posted 2 years ago #
JayDee
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I went for a second time this on on this drismal morning and one of the specials is Uli's sausage. In addition, at least at 10:45 was Uli himself, with a handlebar mustache.
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Each sausage is $1.50 each; Uli is handing out samples, and I thanked the Maestro for his wonderful sausages. He confirmed he uses less salt than would be traditional in Germany, thereby confirming my impressions.
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And I parked in the Junction lot, and picked up a loaf of Great Harvest bread. The French place may be nice, but the line, not so much.

Posted 2 years ago #
dawsonct
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Jiggers, there was also that low brick building on 42nd. I agree with carrieann's daughter; that place always seemed to have an air of malevolence about it. I doubt it housed anything scarier than an orthodontist, but for quite a while that stretch of street was somewhat funereal.
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Looking forward to walking that extra block past Safeway and the wide selection of russets and peanuts that make up their produce department.

Posted 2 years ago #
TDe
Member Profile

Checked out the new QFC Saturday morning. Hope they turn on the heat in the winter. It was cloudy outside and darned cold in the store. All the freezers spread throughout the store added to the chill. Maybe that's marketing, because it drove me to the hot foods. Got some pork shanks (Pretty good, but Morgan St Thriftway does better), hot vegetables (bland - have had better at all the local stores) and a salad (OK, but not great - much better at PCC, Metro and Morgan St Thriftway...even Safeway). The QFC staff were very friendly and the store looked good, but for prepared foods I'll still shop the other stores.

Posted 2 years ago #
PSPS
Member Profile

The store seems about the same as the Westwood Village one as far as inventory. A big disappointment for me is their "bakery." As far as I can tell, nothing is actually baked in the store. Everything on the shelf is the usual trucked-in stuff, even their store brand. I was hoping for a store that sold actual freshly baked bread, like Safeway used to. (Safeway almost never has anything on the displays that was baked the same day anymore.)

Posted 2 years ago #
ellenater
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Just go to Great Harvest for that! They always give free samples with butter, too, if you like. Healthy samples. I LOVE Great Harvest.

Posted 2 years ago #
Magpie
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Went yesterday with my $5 coupon in hand (another one was given to me at check out), everyone extremely friendly, helpful, they cut some meat for me on the spot (love the fact you can watch the butcher)..nice looking produce (including htf green and orange cauliflower)..overall very good experience..just will take some getting used to where everything is. It will be nice to not have to go to Westwood village and it definitely beats JSquare Safeway. Too bad no bus stop in front.

Posted 2 years ago #
Jiggers
Member Profile

Metro better put that bus stop back in front of Q.F.C. were it used to be two years ago. Getting off too early or you have double back too far is a big inconvinience.

Posted 2 years ago #