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Savvy Shopper: What restaurants, stores would you like to see in Triad?

Sunday, April 5, 2009

(Updated 9:42 am)

By Mike Fuchs
Staff Writer

Trader Joe’s. Pei Wei. California Pizza Kitchen. IKEA.

That's just a sampling of the stores and restaurants you told me you’d like to see open in the Triad if you had a magic wand and could say “poof,” there it is.

Are there others? I’m all ears.

Maybe there are some business owners listening, too. You never know.

At my News & Record blog, Bargain Blog, I’m polling readers regarding what stores would be a hit in these parts. I’ve received a good number of responses so far: 20 different shops and eateries were named as of Friday (29 as of Sunday morning).

What would I like to see? I’d love to have a Dave & Busters here. Closest one to the Triad is at 8361 Concord Mills Boulevard in Concord.

As my co-worker Louis Bekoe describes it, it’s basically an adult version of Chuck E. Cheese.

What would you like to see? Check out the list and add your two cents.

You can also suggest stores and restaurants already in the Triad you wish would open new locations.

* **

Highlights of deals found at some Triad area grocery stores (deals expire Tuesday):

* Buy one pound of boneless beef eye or rib roast, get one free at Lowes Foods, which doubles manufacturers’ coupons up to 99 cents.

* 31.5-34.5-ounce containers of Maxwell House coffee (one of my favorite brands) is $5.97 at Food Lion.

* Buy one pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast, get one free at Lowes Foods.

* Five-pound bags of Granny Smith or Washington State red apples are $3.99 at Compare Foods.

* Buy one Planters mixed nuts or cashew halves, get one free at Harris Teeter, which also doubles manufacturers’ coupons up to 99 cents.

* * *

Times are tough, so the last thing you want to do is prematurely chuck that food from the fridge because you don’t know if it’s still edible.

A Web site called StillTasty takes the guesswork out of it.

It explains how long food should stay in the fridge or stay frozen. There's also tips on keeping food fresh.

* * *

When the sales guy says buy the cheaper high definition television, he’s got my attention.

I was at a Best Buy store in Greensboro the other day when an employee told me that I don’t need to buy the more expensive HDTVs that have the highest resolutions, or 1080p (your regular TV, by comparison, is 480p), if you’re buying a plasma screen that’s 42 inches or smaller.

That’s because your eyes won’t notice the difference.

My eyes at least tell me he’s right.

* * *

Become Web savvy! Check out more deals and retail news at the Bargain Blog at news-record.com.

You can also subscribe to the Bargain Bytes e-newsletter at news-record.com/bargains.

The free newsletter will be sent to your inbox every Wednesday.

Also sign up for my Twitter feed.

Do you have a retail news or shopping tips for Savvy Shopper? Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com

What do you think?

8 comment(s)

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Liquidsky

April 5, 2009 - 9:44 am EDT

Trader Joe's would definitely be my number one store, Greenville, SC is getting one so I believe that the Triad is more than ready for one. The closest currently are in Chapel Hill, Cary, or University City (Charlotte). Pei Wei and California Pizza Kitchen are over-rated in my opinion. As far as IKEA, since Charlotte just got one that is close enough really and I doubt the Triad will see one anytime in the near future, of course the Triangle would get the next IKEA in the state whenever that is since IKEA is very delicate about where to locate and when. Other stores that I would like to see are Nordstrom, which I think we are ready for, and The Cheesecake Factory. I think we're on the right path seeing as we've landed Urban Outfitters, Apple, Anthropologie, REI, etc. Another thing on my wish list is a Barnes and Noble with an expanded music section (The triad stores lack music sections, only the Burlington store has one). I also think we need another Best Buy in Greensboro, since we only have ONE serving both Greensboro and Highpoint when Burlington has one serving a far smaller population. Especially with the void of Circuit City now. Also look at Charlotte again, their population is 3x Greensboro, but they have 7 Best Buy stores within city limits, thus making it disproportionate.

Shawn

April 5, 2009 - 6:31 pm EDT

Concerning Trader Joe's, I ask the manager of the Chapel Hill store if Trader Joe's would ever come to Greensboro.
He said to go to their website and contact them requesting a store here. If enough interest is shown they would most certainly consider it. Just thought I would pass this info along. I have already made my request. Hope more will do the same.

kikablue

April 5, 2009 - 11:09 am EDT

I would like to have stores in downtown Greensboro for the people that live in downtown to shop at Dollar Tree, Grocery Store, Wal-Mart, places people can walk to and shop. Not everyone has a car or can afford a taxi to their home. Some of us have to use public transit. Make downtown DOWNTOWN again get rid of some of the BARS. Give the downtown back to the people. You want to make money make downtown a place for people to go and shop, eat. If I want to go to Wal-Mart I have to take a bus everything is out of downtown, why call it downtown why not call it what it is Res-Bar-boro. Restaurants, and Bars.

lsapaugh

April 5, 2009 - 6:00 pm EDT

Vino 100 would be a great addition to the Triad. They guarantee 100 wines for $25.00 or less. They have wine tastings all day long from opening to closing! They also will host private tastings or wine parties. I located this store in Columbia, SC and was very impressed.

john100

April 5, 2009 - 7:19 pm EDT

Mike, we appreciate all you do and the useful information you provide. It's fun to read, educational, and helpful to everybody. I do have a suggestion, I think everyone probably all buys stuff from Amazon every now and then. Amazon generally offers free shipping (orders > $25). I recently came across a interesting filler finder that helps people qualify for Amazon's free shipping if you are just a buck or two short. It's at http://www.superfiller.com - I would think that's useful information to a lot of people.