A tour of Stew Leonard's

Last weekend we made our first visit to Stew Leonard's grocery store.
We had been warned told that SL is SO much fun to wander around..which of course translates into spending more money.
Which happened of course.

Not a place to do weekly shopping, but an interesting place to wander around checking out the kitschy displays, food samples (can we say free lunch?), and chef demonstrations, 

and, of course, people watching!

Walking through the door you are assaulted by the aromas of DONUTS, yes donuts being made right in front of you.
With free samples of course.

 

 The produce is very fresh, with lots of non standard choices...a fresh herb bar, for example is available.

They even sell sherpa slippers, for heaven's sake!

 But, all over the store, you see these buttons...

And when you push one of these buttons ('cause I couldn't help myself) 

either a cow moos at you....

or a singing Chiquita Banana Lady serenades you....

...or any number of other bells, whistles or clangs happen.

I wish I had known about this when my kids were little, because all the kids there 

LOVED it, you could tell.

Great marketing ploy, I tell ya.

 Their meat and poultry displays look fresh and inviting AND delicious, too.

You are herded wander through serpentine aisles, designed to make sure you absolutely CANNOT just run in quickly for just a gallon of milk.

One turn around a blind corner found us eye to eye with Geno.

 Another turn found us in front of the Mozzarella Man, who makes fresh cheese all day.

With free samples!

And Jim's eyes bugged out over this display...'cause he is an olive man thru and thru.

They even have a guy making wings to order..with a dizzying array of flavors to choose from.

I didn't take a picture, but they also had a woman making fresh sushi!

Yup, free samples there too..with wasabi and without :)

And a strategically placed pretzel booth, too. 

Damn you, Stew Leonard's!

As you head into the check out lanes, you are met with the friendliest cashiers ever.

You're even supposed to tell on them if they are not friendly!

 I know she doesn't look friendly right here, but she was :)

But the best gimmick marketing technique of all has to be this.

 

 Oh, yeah.