1/23/08

I have seen the light...

...and it is the Central Market... across the street.
 In the Mill Creek Town Center, there is a little place called food consumer heaven, I mean Central Market. I walked into this place the other day to pick up a few things... and it took me about an hour just to get out of the store. In a good way. Let me explain. Lets start with the produce. You walk in to a clean, great smelling store and take a little left. There you will find the largest selection of gorgeous produce I have ever seen, including little signs that tell you what country that fruit or veggie came from. Next to that is the protein/butcher department full of choices, all beautiful. Including live crab tanks. The other end of the store is a deli like area where they have fresh soups (including individual bread bowls) and sandwhiches available for a quick lunch. In the middle they have anything else you could need, including several brands of eco-friendly cleaners and french lentils in bulk. I saw four count-em four employees whose task seemed only to be straightening the items on the shelves. There were no items out of stock, no spilled food on the floor, nada. Every employee smiled at me. Sigh. OH and I almost forget. They had an Asian food section, that including Japanese women making fresh sushi. Yeah. oops and one more thing. The candy aisle was a dream with its whole section dedicated to their decadent, expensive chocolate bar selection, including the most extensive dark chocolate collection I have ever seen in a grocery store. Heaven. Heaven!
Now, some of you may think this is a bit excessive to rant and rave about a food store. I can't help it. Shopping there would make the weekly chore an experience. I say would. Because of course, it was more expensive. I don't think there were any generic brands in the place. But I dare say it will still be a place I frequent when I want the perfect french bread, or a special cheese, or to dabble in tofu. 
I also took a trip to University Book and picked up a few books for under $20 total. I love paper back. All books I have read before, but wanted to own. Next time I am sampling Nick Hornby, in honor of Kays...
It was a good day wondering the Town Center. Not the cheapest places to shop, but fun to browse since its so close. 
so Washington is good. but I still miss home sometimes... so does Petra... I wonder why...
 

9 comments:

angela hardison said...

Central Market sounds great and yep, maybe a little bit like heaven.

Yesterday I fell in love with fresh & easy neighborhood market, because all of a sudden they are everywhere in Mesa. And because somehow it's like a mix between Trader Joe's and IKEA. Healthy, happy, and cheap! Great packaging too.

I'm sure it doesn't really compare to your place, but hey - that's what we have to deal with in AZ.

diana said...

what a fantastic little gem of a market you have there. the deli description made my mouth water. however, the thought of sushi and the crab tank did not.

i got teary eyed when i saw that last picture. i feel like i'm miles from home now.

sarah said...

you are making it really difficult to feel sorry for you moving away from arizona with all these fabulous washington stories. you are actually making it really difficult to not want to pack up a uhaul and move there tomorrow.

good job making the best of your time there. it's better than i did when i first moved to az. i just sulked.

kayleen said...

did you get owie's voice mail the other day?

that market sounds expensive...oh, to have the luxury of not having to price check everything.

Hina Schneider said...

Wow I can't believe you guys moved to Washington. I bet its a pretty there then instead of the desert here. Your little girl is getting bigger and cuter. Good luck to you guys up there it was good knowing you will you guys where here. (Hina Schneider from Hillcrest ward).

Myke said...

Hey, the desert is pretty too! (For the post above me.)

Last time I saw Petra she seemed to have gotten bigger. Put her next to those two (Owen and Elliott I assume?) and she seems to have shrunk! (And I mean that in the absolute nicest way possible.)

kayleen said...

myke...are you calling my boys fat? ...you just made owen cry. hope you're proud of yourself.

chelsea :: stock said...

angela- the central market is great, but not so cheap.
diana - YOU feel like your miles from home...
sarah - I have had my fair share of sulking... oh yeah
kays- I did get the voicemail. i woulda called back but... I didn't wanna cry. yes I am that lame.
Hina - thank you! it was nice to know you guys as well.
myke - I agree, the desert does have its own charm and will always have a place in my heart. and petra is little for her age, but getting bigger every day! actually, she is tall for her age group, but really thin. I do feed her. I promise.
kayleen - I can't believe owen cried. shame on myke.

Myke said...

Kayleen ... No, I wasn't calling them fat... Honestly, I think you have have some of the raddest looking kids in the world. Owen has sweet hair. Tell him I'm sorry for making him cry.