Customer in Training

Harris Teeter is very smart. The store is mom-friendly and I appreciate that very much. My family patronizes a lot of grocery stores (the one closest to our house, the one with the special Asian sprinkles, the one with the special teas we like, etc.), but if I'm with CJ and need to go grocery shopping, Harris Teeter is almost always my destination. Here's why:

1) They have parking spots close to the entrance for moms with kids. This means I don't have to walk with my meandering 3-year old across a busy parking lot. Which makes me less nervous and probably avoids a lot of accidents.

2) They have kid-sized shopping carts. These are the cutest things. They are just right for a child of CJ's age, and they have cute flags that say "Customer in Training." CJ goes straight for his cart when we go to the store, he points out or takes the things he wants, and insists on putting his favorite items in his cart. Things like blueberries, milk, strawberries, sushi, cereal. The carts keep him busy because he has to push his cart to keep up with me.

3) They have wipes at the entrance to the store. I know, I can't keep germs away from my family and some germs are good, but wiping the handles of the grocery carts makes me feel like I am keeping the worst of the cold germs (and God knows what other things) away from me and CJ.

4) They have convenient, clean bathrooms. Unlike some stores I've visited, the bathrooms are not in the dungeons of the store, they are easy to get to, well marked, clean, and kid-friendly.

5) There is always someone around to help me. This is key when I am in a hurry, have a child who is about to have a meltdown, or just plain can't find something and need help.

6) They give away balloons. At the end of each shopping trip, CJ gets a free balloon, which makes the entire excursion worthwhile, as far as he's concerned. Harris Teeter also gives away cookies, but we just ignore them, balloons are enough.

It seems not all grocery stores are made alike!